0 


*  barton 


San  ~3FVancisco 
1915 


(Topyrlg^t  by 

IFranK  barton 

1915 


<3l)e  "pbllopolis  "pr 
San  TFranclsco 


jprcfacc 


I  dedicate  this  BOOK  OF  FRAGMENTS  to  the  one 
who  shall  find  one  poem  that  seems  to  have  been 
written  especially  for  him. 

ARDELIA  MARIA  BARTON. 


53436 


(Tontents. 

Page 

Fragments 

Life's  Web 

It  Was  Just  What  We  Needed 

We  Should  Be  Satisfied 

Memory's  Tomb 

To  The  Dead  Moon 

Our  Backs  Are  Fitted  For  Our  Burdens 

Never  Too  Late 

The  Great  Unknown   - 

9  1 

Nature's  Music 

The  First  Of  January  - 

Dead  Years 

Building  Castles  In  The  Air    - 

Soul  Longings 

Plant  Sweet  Flowers  in  Sorrow's  Garden  s         29 

Time's  Flight 

Love  In  A  Cottage 

Love 

Trouble 

Hope 

The  Ship  Of  Life 

A  Monument  To  Fame 

Such  Is  Fame    - 

What  Are  Dreams  Made  Of 

Seek  The  Sunshine 

Love's  Kingdom 

Love's  Home    - 

My  Soul's  Mate  46 

Across  The  "  Great  Divide  " 

Shadows      -  48 

IX 


Contents 

Page 

Sunshine  49 

Is  It  Well  With  Thee  ?  50 

Hope's  Sea        -  -52 

What  Is  Electricity  ?  53 

Give  Thy  Best  54 

Count  Not  On  The  Morrow  57 

Island  Of  Sweet  Content  59 

The  Island  Of  Rest  61 

The  Island  Of  Faraway  62 

The  Island  Of  Make-Believe  64 

The  Island  Of  Discontent  65 

What  Is  Life  ?  66 

1 '  Thoughts  Are  Things  "  68 

"  And  A  Little  Child  Shall  Lead  Them  "  69 

Today  Is  Ours  -         72 

The  Goddess  Love  73 

Why  ?  74 

Don't  Worry  75 

Love      -                                                                     -  -         78 

To  The  Unknown  God  79 

Life's  Dreams  -  -         82 

The  Mating  Of  The  Trees  83 

Life's  Journey  -  -         85 

Death's  Journey      -  87 

Live  In  The  Now  -89 

What  Prayer  Should  Be  90 

Where  No  Human  Foot  Hath  Trod   -  92 

The  Heaviest  Cross  ?  94 

The  Architect  Plans:   God  Builds  -         97 

Three  Score  Years  And  Ten          -  99 


Contents 

Page 

A  World  Of  Chance    -  -       100 

Oblivion,  Hope,  Life,  Faith  101 

Life's  Mystery  102 

To  A  Friend  104 

Life's  Milestones  106 

Soul  Thoughts         -  107 

Life       -  108 

Let  Us  Look  On  The  Bright  Side  Of  Life  109 

Life's  Work  111 

The  Ideal  Home  112 

Speak  To  Me  -  114 

The  House  By  The  Roadside  115 

Nature's  Songs  116 

To  Will,  Is  To  Do  117 

A  Memory  of  Maine  -  118 

Some  Day  -  120 

Silence  122 

Morning      -  124 
Retrospection   -                                                                     -       126 

Love's  Chamber  127 

What  Doth  The  Future  Hold  For  Us  129 

Life's  Tide  130 
Love's  Ashes    -                                                                  -       132 

Life's  Garden  134 

Dead  Leaves  135 

Shadows      -  136 

Other's  Burdens  Are  Light      -  138 

Nature's  God  140 

To  The  "Father  Of  His  Country"    -  142 

Mirage  144 

XI 


FRAGMENTS. 

All  of  life  is  made  of  fragments  — 

Fragments  of  the  past  come  down. 
Thought  of  God  —  by  Him  created, 

And  in  future  He  will  crown 
Man  perfected,  pure  and  holy, 

Fit  companion  e'en  of  God. 
Man  will  take  his  place  with  angels, 

Though  his  birthplace  was  the  sod. 

"Strike  the  harp  and  sound  the  timbrel!" 

Sin  will  lose  its  power  o'er  man; 
He  will  rise  and  claim  his  birthright  — 

Ne'er  on  him  was  placed  a  ban 
Of  eternal  grief  and  sorrow; 

Ignorance  has  caused  his  fall. 
Nature  gives  to  man  her  records 

And  on  them  he  e'er  can  call. 

And  he  should  accept  her  teachings; 

Ignorance  should  not  be  pall 
To  envelope  his  pure  spirit  — 

Man  must  ever  rise,  not  fall  — 


Ever  coming,  ever  going, 

Evolution  ever,  aye; 
'Tis  the  law,  and  man  is  governed 

Everyday  by  yesterday. 

He  must  learn  life's  lessons  daily, 

For  each  day  brings  something  new; 
Something  new  for  the  tomorrow; 

Live  today  that  naught  you  rue 
In  the  'morrow;  for  the  records 

Show  each  stain  that  sin  has  made; 
And  erased  can  stains  be  never, 

Though  in  time  e'en  sin  may  fade. 


LIFE'S  WEB. 

We  are  weaving,  ever  weaving 

Wafp  and  woof  of  yesterday  — 
Though  the  fabric  is  imperfect, 

And  life's  web  is  tinged  with  gray; 

We  should  choose  life's  thread  with  wisdom, 

Strong  and  perfect  it  must  be; 
Perfect  then  the  web  when  woven  — 

Weave  we  for  eternity. 

We  are  weaving,  ever  weaving 
From  the  warp  and  woof  of  time. 

We  can  weave  a  web  of  beauty  — 
We  can  make  our  lives  sublime. 

We  should  weave  life's  web  from  pattern 

Which  the  Father  gave  to  us; 
All  the  colors  should  be  fadeless, 

Our  life's  web  all  glorious. 

Back  and  forth  life's  shuttle  flying, 

Faithful,  till  its  task  is  done. 
Master  hand  does  guide  the  shuttle  — 

All  life's  battles  mav  be  won. 


Though  life's  web  is  not  yet  finished, 
Traced  the  pattern  was,  at  birth. 

Soon,  from  weary,  nerveless  fingers 
Drops  the  shuttle  to  the  earth. 

And  perhaps  the  web  unfinished 

May  be  taken  up  again. 
We  may  weave  in  the  hereafter, 

And  earth's  weaving  be  made  plain. 

We  will  finish  all  life's  weaving; 

All  life's  work  be  done  some  day  — 
But  the  web  that  we  have  woven 

May  still  have  some  shadows  gray. 


IT  WAS  JUST  WHAT  WE  NEEDED. 

In  looking  back  o'er  our  past  lives, 
We  find  there,  joys  and  sorrows. 

Though  gloom  made  dark  the  yesterdays, 
Hope  brightened  all  the  morrows. 

Though  poverty  has  been  our  lot, 

A  struggle  for  existence, 
We  may  have  seen  the  time  when  we 

Could  meet  it  with  indiff'rence. 

Can  we  not  see  that  it  was  best, 
And  just  what  we  then  needed? 

It  made  us  stronger  for  life's  work 
If  we  the  lesson  heeded. 

If  we  have  health,  e'en  though  not  wealth, 
We'll  trust  the  Power  above  us. 

And  live  our  lives  in  sweet  content  — 
We  know  that  God  doth  love  us. 

The  past  is  past,  and  we  see  now 

If  lessons  we  had  heeded, 
We  would  have  had  a  happier  life  — 

The  lessons  all  were  needed. 


So  blind  our  eyes  we  cannot  see 

The  good  that  is  around  us; 
We  stumble  over  blessings  rare, 

For  Error's  chains  have  bound  us. 

Why  should  we  pluck  the  poisonous  weeds 

That  are  by  wayside  growing? 
Why  should  we  drink  a  poisonous  draught 

When  founts  of  love  are  flowing? 

We'll  find  oftimes,  the  fault  was  ours, 

And  that,  had  we  but  yielded 
To  circumstances  that  we  met, 

They  were  what  we  most  needed. 


Awake !      Arise !      See  where  you  step, 
And  have  Life's  garden  weeded. 

Plant  flowers  of  hope  where  once  were  weeds; 
Hope's  flowers  are  ever  needed. 


WE  SHOULD  BE  SATISFIED. 

If  life  to  thee  seems  dreary, 
And  pleasures  oft  denied, 

Look  only  to  thy  blessings, 
And  then  be  satisfied. 

Though  clouds  are  overhanging, 
And  dark  be  e'er  life's  sky, 

The  sun  will  soon  be  shining; 
Life's  storms  may  pass  thee  by. 

Pluck  from  life' s  lowly  garden 
Sweet  flowers,  for  they  are  thine. 

Drink  not  a  bitter  potion, 
Bur  of  life's  sparkling  wine. 

If  thou  art  seeking  trouble, 
Thou'lt  find  it  everywhere; 

It  springs  from  out  its  covert, 
And  lures  thee  to  its  lair. 

Though  joys  of  life  are  hidden, 
And  do  not  with  thee  bide, 

E'en  though  they  hide  forever, 
Thou  shouldst  be  satisfied 


The  seed  in  earth  is  hidden, 
But  will  not  long  there  bide; 

It  struggles  for  the  sunlight  — 
It  is  not  satisfied 

To  live  in  gloom  forever 
And  in  the  darkness  bide. 

E'en  when  it  is  a  flower 
Will  it  be  satisfied? 

It  drinks  in  God's  bright  sunshine, 

It  has  on  Him  relied. 
And  sometime  in  the  future 

It  will  be  satisfied. 

The  flower  came  up  from  darkness; 

The  earth  was  but  its  tomb; 
It  knew  that  there  was  brightness 

So  would  not  live  in  gloom. 

We  should  e'er  learn  of  nature, 

And  with  her  aye  abide; 
And  take  what  she  may  send  us 

And  then  be  satisfied. 


Life's  ship  will  not  be  stranded; 

It  will  all  storms  outride; 
And  if  there's  one  to  love  us 

We  should  be  satisfied. 

There  is  a  life  all  glorious; 

And  drifting  with  the  tide, 
We'll  reach  the  Port  of  Heaven 

And  then  be  satisfied. 


MEMORY'S  TOMB. 

I  open  the  door  of  Memory's  tomb, 

And  gaze  at  the  hopes  within; 
The  hopes  that  lie  buried  there  in  gloom  — 

Oh!      Dense  are  the  shadows  therein! 

Their  shroud  is  of  black,  black  hopelessness. 

Their  coffin  is  grim  despair. 
I  call  to  my  hopes  imploringly, 

But  get  no  response  to  my  prayer. 

The  hopes  that  seemed  dead  so  long  ago, 

In  time  resurrected  may  be; 
For  hope  in  the  heart  does  never  die, 

Though  sleeping  sometimes  it  may  be. 

But  cold  is  the  grave  where  love  does  lie, 
'Tis  only  love's  ghost  that  is  there. 

A  spirit  it  is  of  my  past  love, 

As  ghost  it  responds  to  my  prayer. 

On  grave  of  my  hopes  I'll  plant  the  rose, 
On  grave  of  my  love  will  plant  rue; 

For  love  when  once  dead  is  dead  for  aye, 
And  bitter  the  tears  that  bedew. 


10 


The  desolate  grave  where  it  does  lie, 

Alas!      It  is  buried  in  gloom. 
A  phantom  it  is  that  haunts  me  e'er 

A  phantom  in  Memory's  tomb. 

Though  thorns  may  e'er  wound  the  hand  that 
plucks 

Love's  sweetest  and  fairest  flowers, 
The  wound  will  soon  heal  and  roses  fresh      . 

Will  blossom  again  in  Hope's  bowers. 

And  "Memory's  Tomb"  be  not  so  dark  — 
All  shadows  will  soon  fade  away. 

The  sunshine  of  hope  illume  its  depths 
And  hope  become  brighter  each  day. 


11 


TO  THE  DEAD  MOON. 

Thou  glorious  offspring  of  thy  mother  night, 
Thou  lookest  down  upon  a  sleeping  world; 
Serenely  sailing  on  through  unknown  space  — 
Majestic  in  thy  total  disregard  for  man. 

'Tis  claimed  that  thou  wast  once  a  living  world, 
And  once  was  peopled  by  a  race  of  men 
Perhaps  of  higher  grade  than  on  this  world  of  ours. 
E'en  now  perchance  there  may  be  life  on  thee! 

Wilt  thou  still  be  in  ages  yet  to  come? 
Still  keep  thy  course  throughout  eternity, 
Whilst  man  shall  come  and  go,  shall  come  and  go  — 
Though  little  heed  thou  payest  puny  man. 

Thou  look'st  on  him  perhaps  with  silent  scorn. 
Methinks  if  thou  wast  dead,  thou'dst  fall  through 

space. 

If  thou  art  dead,  this  world  will  also  die  — 
A  cold  dead  moon,  and  then  a  dying  world. 


12 


Didst  Thou  create  us,  God,  to  satisfy  Thy  pride? 
Was  it  but  pride  in  Thy  creative  powers? 
Creating  worlds  and  suns,  but  to  destroy, 
Through  all  the  aeons  past,  and  yet  to  come? 

Creating,  then  destroying  Thy  handiwork.  - 
Creator  uncreated!      We  must  bow 
Before  Thy  matchless  power,  and  to  Thee  kneel 
In  humble  adoration  of  Thee,  aye. 

Thou  art  above,  beneath,  around,  about, 
Forever  here,  forever  there  in  love, — 
In  love  creating,  not  destroying  aught 
That  Thou  in  love  hast  once  created,  Lord! 

Creation  seems  to  die,  yet  it  lives  on. — 

In  some  new  form  creation  lives  again; 

For  that  which  once  hath  quickened  been  by  God 

Lives  on  throughout  eternity  —  eternity. 


13 


"OUR  BACKS  ARE  FITTED  FOR 
OUR  BURDENS." 

We  have  troubles,  we  have  sorrows; 

Many  blessings  we  have  too. 
Though  dark  clouds  be  overhanging, 

Hope's  bright  star  will  soon  peep  through. 

Even  troubles  may  prove  blessings, 
Though  they  seem  so  hard  to  bear; 

Then  my  friend,  cease  your  complaining, 
Bow  not  down  to  grim  Despair. 

Though  your  burdens  seem  too  many, 
You,  my  friend,  have  but  your  share, 

Every  heart  has  its  own  sorrows; 
There  is  trouble  everywhere. 

Look  around  upon  your  neighbors. 

Would  you  change  your  life  for  theirs? 
Would  you  choose  their  smallest  trouble? 

Would  you  change  with  them  your  cares? 


14 


Then  my  friend,  take  up  your  burdens, 
Ever  look  on  life's  bright  side; 

And  though  storms-  may  ever  threaten, 
Your  life's  ship  will  them  outride. 

Courage  is  the  best  of  pilots; 

Give  life's  ship  to  him,  my  friend, 
He  will  guide  you  to  your  haven 

If  you  trust  him  to  the  end. 

Courage  should  forever  guide  you, 
And  bright  Hope  your  captain  be. 

Take  the  blessings  that  are  given, 
Dark  despair  cast  into  sea. 

If,  for  pilot,  you  have  Courage, 
If,  for  captain,  you  have  Hope, 

Even  though  your  life  be  stormy, 
With  the  storms  you  e'er  can  cope, 


15 


NEVER  TOO  LATE. 

If  I  were  only  younger 

So  many  things  I'd  do. 
F  d  build  a  little  cottage 

Just  large  enough  for  two.. 

I'd  have  a  little  garden, 

And  plant  there  shady  trees  — 

From  branches  would  hang  hammock, 
In  nook  have  honey  bees. 

Would  also  have  a  fountain 
Surrounded  by  sweet  flowers. 

In  corner,  vine-wreathed  arbor, 
And  many  shaded  bowers. 

Alas!      A  weeping  willow 

Should  now  stand  by  my  gate  — 

For  life  is  almost  over, 
And  now  it  is  too  late 

For  me  to  think  of  making 

A  home  for  you  and  me; 
And  we  must  be  contented 

Wherever  we  may  be. 


16 


We've  walked  life's  path  together, 
Ne'er  halted  by  the  way. — 

Have  builded  many  castles 
To  crumble,  and  decay. 

We've  peopled  them  with  angels, — 

These  castles  in  the  air; 
We've  furnished  them  with  sunbeams, 

No  clouds  were  ever  there. 

The  castles  now  have  fallen, 

Have  fallen  to  the  ground. 
But  we  still  have  bright  sunbeams, 

For  happiness  we've  found. 

We'll  try  not  to  be  selfish, 
But  work  for  other's  weal  — 

Build  monuments  from  love-deeds 
Be  evei  loyal,  leal. — 

Too  late  it  will  be  never 

For  castles  in  the  air, 
And  though  they  fall  in  pieces, 

We'll  build  them  everywhere. 


17 


And  sow  for  other's  reaping. 

We  will  not  selfish  be, 
But  plant  sweet  flowers  for  others; 

They'll  bloom  eternally. 


18 


THE  GREAT  UNKNOWN.* 

O,  this  eternal  silence  drear! 

It  fills  my  soul  with  dread  and  fear. 

This  Great  Unknown  has  lured  me  on. 

No  man  has  ever  victory  won 

O'er  this  vast  sea  of  ice  and  snow  — 

All  nature  seems  to  be  his  foe. 

'Tis  desolation  everywhere; 
No  life,  no  hope  —  naught  but  despair. 
No  sound  I  hear,  not  e'en  a  breath  — 
Oh!      Is  this  life,  or  is  it  death? 
This  is  the  sepulcher  of  hope! 
With  such  conditions  can  I  cope? 

The  earth  is  buried  deep  in  gloom  — 
The  sun  has  sunken  to  his  tomb. 
I  am  alone  amid  the  gloom  — 
To  die  alone  is    now  my  doom. 
The  beating  of  my  heart  I  hear. 
It  desecrates  the  stillness  here. 

*Supposed  to  he  from  a  memorandum  book  found  frozen  to 
a  piece  of  drift  ice  from  the  North  Pole,  A.D.  2000. 


19 


I've  reached  the  end  of  earth,  T  think, 
And  now  I'm  standing  on  the  brink 
Of  a  dead  world.      What  hope  have  I? 
O'er  this  dark  land  grim  death  does  lie. 
Wild  tumult  now  I  seem  to  hear; 
'Tis  but  the  falling  of  a  tear. 

The  world  is  cold,  and  dark  and  drear, 
The  ice  and  snow  will  be  my  bier. 
The  frost-king  binds  me  in  his  chains, 
He  is  the  monarch  here,  who  reigns. 
He  seems  to  hold  a  sword  o'er  all; 
Mayhap  sometime  the  sword  will  fall. 

He,  o'er  the  world  will  hold  full  sway  — 
O'er  time,  o'er  space  —  all  must  obey. 
No  man  can  then  his  will  gainsay. 
The  world  will  turn  by  its  great  weight, 
And  fall  — Oh,  Where!  — To  meet  its  fate! 
What  though  I've  reached  the  ''Polar  Sea", 
What  good  to  man  will  it  e'er  be? 
This  is  unknown  immensity! 


20 


NATURE'S  MUSIC. 

There's  music  in  the  waterfall, 
There's  music  in  the  mighty  deeps. 
There's  music  in  the  growing  grass, 
For  Nature  sings  e'en  when  she  sleeps. 

The  morning  stars  together  sing; 
The  hills  look  up  and  joy  to  see 
The  planets  move  throughout  all  space, 
A  mighty  wave  of  melody. 

The  dew-drops  whisper  words  of  love  - 
'Tis  sweeter  music  to  the  flower 
Than  sweetest  song  e'er  sung  by  bird, 
Or  music  grand  in  angel's  bower. 

We  pluck  a  flower  from  mother  stem, 
But  do  not  hear  the  cry  of  pain 
That  wells  up  from  the  parent's  heart  - 
Alas!      The  cry  is  all  in  vain! 

Sometime  our  ear  may  be  attuned 
To  Nature's  pleading  —  Nature's  cry  — 
Our  hearts  with  pity  may  be  filled, 
And  we  may  heed  the  faintest  sigh 


21 


Of  dying  flower,  or  falling  leaf, 
And  hear  the  music  of  the  stars; 
As  traveling  on  through  unknown  space 
No  discord  e'er  their  journey  mars. 

The  perfect  rhythm,  perfect  song, 

The  melody  of  all  her  works 

Goes  on  through  time,  through  space,  untaught, 

And  only  man  his  duty  shirks. 

Discordant  often  are  the  notes 
That  man  doth  strike  on  harp  of  life  — 
But  Nature's  music  perfect  is, 
Though  in  it  oft  seems  much  of  strife. 

When  man  is  free  from  every  sin, 
No  selfish  thought  is  in  his  heart, 
The  song  of  ages  he  will  sing, 
In  Nature's  music  take  his  part. 


22 


THE  FIRST  OF  JANUARY. 

The  old  year  dead!      A  new  year  born! 
Ring  merry  bells  this  new  year's  dawn! 
Our  hopes,  our  fears,  our  smiles,  our  tears 
Are  buried  in  the  past  dead  years. 

They  hidden  are  by  Memory's  pall; 
No  stone  shall  mark  where  dead  hopes  fall. 
The  past  is  dead,  so  let  it  rest  — 
Forgetfulness  is  our  behest. 

Rich  blessing,  that  we  can  forget! 
Then  Sorrow's  cup  holds  no  regret. 
Our  lives  we  will  begin  this  year 
With  merry  bells  and  blessed  cheer. 

We'll  drape  with  flowers  sad  Sorrow's  tomb, 
For  flowers  of  Hope  will  hide  its  gloom. 
Another  year  has  passed  away 
With  some  bright  hopes,  some  shadows  gray. 

Now  all  the  past  we'll  bury  deep, 
And  o'er  that  past  we  will  not  weep. 
Ring  out  the  old,  ring  in  the  new, 
The  past  is  dead  and  lost  to  you. 


23 


Live  in  the  now.      May  future  years 
Bring  to  you  joy,  ne'er  cause  you  tears. 
Take  up  your  life,  do  what  you  can 
For  sister  woman,  brother  man. 

Give  flowers  of  love  to  cheer  the  way 
Of  some  sad  soul  this  "New  Year's  Day". 
Love  will  not  wither  nor  decay, 
But  bring  to  all  a  cheering  ray. 

With  joy  the  wine  of  life  we'll  brew, 

And  plant  each  year  love's  flowers  anew. 

We'll  live  the  coming  year  so  well 

That  peace  will  ring  each  "New  Year's"  bell. 


24 


DEAD  YEARS. 

E'en  though  another  year  is  dead, 

Why  should  I  weep? 
'Tis  buried  in  Love's  hallowed  grave  — 

Eternal  sleep. 

I  laid  but  one  forget-me-not 

Upon  its  bier; 
With  courage  will  take  up  my  life 

The  coming  year. 

My  hopes,  my  fears,  my  joys,  my  tears 

Will  still  go  on. 
But  what  to  me  are  dying  years 

If  love  is  won? 

Though  buried  years  come  not  again, 

Why  should  I  weep? 
But  hope  for  brighter  years  to  come, 

And  vigil  keep 

O'er  ev'ry  act,  and  thought  of  mine, 

O'er  problems  deep. 
Made  up  is  life  of  buried  years  — 

We  sow,  then  reap. 


25 


If  we  sow  tares  on  life's  highway, 

Tares  we  shall  reap; 
Abundant  harvest  comes  to  us  — 

If  so,  why  weep? 

O'er  joys  departed,  hopes  deferred, 

O'er  dying  years  — 
Regrets  will  ne'er  bring  back  the  past  — 

All  useless  —  tears! 

Why  should  I  dread  the  flight  of  time? 

Why  for  it  weep? 
Eternity  is  mine,  I  know, 

And  dreamless  sleep. 

Why  should  I  think  of  coming  years 

In  doubt  or  fear? 
Love's  benediction  comes  each  day, 

And  brings  me  cheer. 

I'll  do  the  best  that  in  me  lies, 

Though  dark  life's  ways; 
And  will  not  mourn  for  vanished  years 

Dead  yesterdays! 


26 


BUILDING  CASTLES  IN  THE  AIR. 

We  are  building,  ever  building, 

Many  castles  in  the  air; 
But  they  fall  to  earth  in  fragments 

Scattered  broadcast  everywhere. 

As  each  castle  falls  to  pieces, 

We  begin  to  build  anew; 
Building  ever  higher  —  higher 

Towering  soon  beyond  our  view. 

E'en  though  castles  have  been  shattered, 
They  have  not  been  built  in  vain; 

They  have  given  us  hope  and  courage, 
And  forgetfulness  of  pain. 

So  we  ever  will  keep  building; 

Thongh  our  castles  fall  to  earth, 
We  will  gather  up  the  fragments 

And  our  courage  have  new  birth. 


27 


SOUL  LONGINGS. 

Our  lives  are  made  of  plans 
That  never  are  fulfilled  — 
Sweet  longings  of  the  soul 
Which  never  can  be  stilled. 

We  dream  from  youth  to  age, 
Our  dreams  will  ne'er  come  true; 
We  dream  of  flowers  sweet, 
And  wake  to  find  the  rue. 

The  wormwood's  bitterness 
We  find  at  every  turn. 
No  wish  is  e'er  fulfilled, 
And  yet  we  never  learn 

That  life  is  given  for  good, 
And  we  should  not  complain, 
But  do  the  best  we  know 
Though  life  seems  filled  with  pain. 


28 


PLANT  SWEET  FLOWERS  IN 
SORROW'S  GARDEN. 

The  ripened  years  oft  bring  the  richest  treasure, 
The  autumn  leaves  rehearse  spring's  gladdest  song. 
Yet  may  the  utmost  joys  of  youth  ne'er  measure 
The  peace  that  to  life's  latest  years  belong. 

Yet  give  me  youth  —  I  ask  no  greater  blessing  — 
Though  age  may  bring  full  many  blessings  too  — 
I  weep  for  all  the  past  dead  years,  confessing 
Though  false  to  me,  I  would  again  them  woo. 

But  now  the  past  is  dead,  and  I  will  bury 
It  in  a  grave  so  deep  it  cannot  rise, 
And  o'er  the  present  I  will  now  be  merry, 
The  past  forget;  for  in  the  grave  it  lies. 

And  on  its  grave  I'll  plant  the  weeping  willow; 
Upon  the  future  I  will  plant  the  yew. 
Today  I'll  rest  upon  life's  rosy  pillow, 
And  no  sad  tears  shall  grave  of  past  bedew. 

A  mound  I'll  build  from  every  grief  and  sorrow, 
Entombed  in  it  will  be  all  cares  and  woes, 
Mayhap  from  it  will  spring  sweet  flowers  tomorrow — 
The  pansy,  lily,  asphodel  and  rose. 

29 


TIME'S  FLIGHT. 

Roll  on,  O  mighty  wheel  of  Time  — 
Through  countless,  countless  years! 

Thou  goest  ever  madly  on 

Though  deluged  by  our  tears! 

Though  nations  rise,  though  nations  fall, 

It  matters  not  to  thee; 
Thou  wilt  not  tarry  in  thy  flight 

To  watch  man's  destiny. 

Didst  thou  beginning  ever  have? 

If  so,  thou  wilt  have  end. 
But  now  thou  art  the  king  who  rules, 

And  all  to  thee  must  bend. 

What  though  we  beg  of  thee  to  stay, 

To  tarry  with  us  now? 
Thou  rushest  ever  madly  on, 

And  we  must  to  thee  bow. 

Dost  ever  think,  O  Father  Time  — 

What  power  is  given  thee? 
Thou  rulest  all  there  is  of  life, 

And  will  eternally. 


30 


LOVE  IN  A  COTTAGE. 

By  brookside  is  a  cottage 

(Just  large  enough  for  two  — ) 

With  white-washed  walls  and  ceiling, 
The  furnishings  but  few. 

But  Love  sits  at  the  fireside 
With  Confidence,  his  mate, 

And  Happiness  doth  ever 
On  tiny  table  wait. 

In  garden,  flowers  are  growing, 
By  wayside,  daisies  bloom, 

'Tis  ever  sunshine  somewhere; 
In  hearts  there  is  no  gloom. 

For  love  brings  brightest  sunshine; 

He  lights  up  every  nook, 
He  peeps  in  at  the  window, 

And  in  at  door  doth  look. 

Be  it  a  cot  or  palace, 

If  Love  hath  taken  flight, 
The  sunshine  is  as  darkness, 

In  home  'tis  ever  night. 


31 


LOVE. 

In  cup  of  love  there  may  be  sorrow, 
The  bee  has  venom  in  its  sting, 

Though  bee  does  ever  gather  honey, 
And  to  its  home  does  honey  bring. 

Though  foe  to  man  is  treacherous  viper, 
And  beasts  of  prey  may  ever  prowl 

Through  the  dark  and  gloomy  forests 
In  wilderness  with  hate  may  howl, 

We  know  there's  peace,  and  joy  and  loving 
In  life,  e'en  'mong  the  beasts  of  prey; 

For  love  doth  move  the  world  as  lever 
And  all  her  laws  we  should  obey. 

When  love,  on  heart  and  soul  is  written, 
It  makes  of  life  a  happy  song  — 

Tis  selfish  thoughts,  and  hate  and  envy, 
That  fills  the  world  with  every  wrong. 


32 


TROUBLE. 

Trouble  needs  no  invitation, 
And  no  hint  drives  her  away  — 

Takes  her  place  by  our  warm  fireside; 
When  she  comes,  she  comes  to  stay. 

All  our  joy  is  turned  to  wormwood, 

And  we  daily  sip  the  rue. 
Peace,  contentment,  now  doth  vanish, 

Trouble  doth  us  aye  pursue. 

And  a  funeral  pall  surrounds  us, 
And  the  grave  of  Hope  is  filled 

With  forebodings  dark  and  dreary; 
Trouble  hath  our  courage  killed. 

Each  today  is  filled  with  sorrow, 
And  the  morrows  bring  no  cheer. 

All  the  yesterdays  were  clouded 
With  the  phantoms  of  grim  fear. 


33 


HOPE. 

Our  troubles  we  oft  make  ourselves, 

And  drive  sweet  Hope  from  out  our  homes. 

She  waiteth  patiently  outside, 

And  from  our  gate  not  far  she  roams. 

When  Trouble  enters,  Hope  doth  smile, 
And  tries  to  fill  our  hearts  with  cheer. 
But  Trouble  seems  our  chosen  guest, 
While  Hope  is  greeted  with  a  tear. 

We've  lived  the  yesterday,  and  now 
Today  is  all  there  is  for  us. 
Tomorrow,  we  may  never  see, 
E'en  though  it  be  all  glorious. 

So  let  us  drive  all  care  away, 
And  think  of  only  peace  and  joy; 
For  as  we  think,  so  shall  we  be, 
And  life  will  be  without  alloy. 


34 


THE  SHIP  OF  LIFE. 

My  ship  has  left  its  landing  — 
'Tis  manned  with  all  my  hopes; 

The  sails  are  good  intentions, 
Good  deeds  are  all  the  ropes. 

The  planks  are  resolutions, 

The  nails  been  driven  with  care, 

The  beams  are  disappointments, 
And  many  burdens  bear. 

The  masts  have  been  well  chosen, 
Are  fastened  strong,  secure, 

The  anchor  is  a  promise 
Which  ever  will  endure. 

Each  day  my  log  is  written 
With  truthfulness  and  care, 

In  it  not  one  false  entry  — 
A  haven  safe,  my  prayer. 

I've  started  on  Life's  voyage 

Upon  an  unknown  sea. 
My  compass  must  be  trusted 

Throughout  eternity. 


35 


A  MONUMENT  TO  FAME. 

Towering  high  within  a  city, 

Is  a  monument  to  fame 
Built  of  finest  Parian  marble, 

And  thereon  is  carved  a  name. 

Though  the  stone  has  stood  for  ages 
And  may  stand  for  centuries  more, 

It  will  crumble  in  the  future  — 
Lost  in  dust  the  name  it  bore. 

And  the  name  will  be  forgotten, 
Though  it  honored  was  in  past; 

Though  it  stood  for  great  achievements; 
To  the  earth  it  will  be  cast. 

And  in  dust  the  name  be  hidden. 

Fame  can  ne'er  immortal  be, 
Who  will  know  in  future  aeons 

Aught  but  immortality? 

Fame  is  but  a  passing  glory, 

Fame  is  but  a  shadow  gray, 
That  will  vanish  as  all  shadows 

Hidden  in  life's  yesterday. 


36 


SUCH  IS  FAME. 

Your  name  is  carved  upon  a  stone, 
Or  may  be  written  in  a  book; 
In  time  the  name  will  be  erased; 
And  all  in  vain  for  it  you  look. 

A  monument  is  built  for  you, 
It  seems  to  tower  to  the  sky; 
In  time  it  crumbles  to  the  dust, 
For  all  of  earth  must  surely  die. 

Your  name  is  blazoned  o'er  the  land, 
All  men  may  seek  to  honor  you. 
By  some  mischance  you  may  lose  caste, 
You  now  are  noticed,  but  by  few. 

Among  the  honored  of  the  land 
You  seem  to  take  the  highest  rank; 
You  lose  your  station,  and  your  wealth, 
Your  very  life  is  now  a  blank. 

You  do  some  good  and  noble  deed 
Your  name  with  praises  loud  will  ring. 
Some  one  will  find  a  fault  in  you, 
And  //  to  notice,  gladly  bring. 


37 


Fame  is  a  bubble  on  life's  sea, — 
A  breath  of  wind  that  bubble  breaks; 
The  waves  will  bury  it  full  deep, 
And  never  more  from  death  it  wakes. 

O  Fame!      Chimera  of  the  past! 
'Tis  for  a  moment,  or  a  day; 
Then  seek  it  not,  'tis  but  a  breath, 
A  vapor  that  soon  fades  away. 


38 


WHAT  ARE  DREAMS  MADE  OF 

What  are  dreams  and  visions  made  of? 

They  are  made  from  odds,  and  ends, 
Pieced  together  by  the  Dream-god, 

From  life's  fabric,  which  he  rends. 

He  has  chosen  none  too  wisely, — 
He  has  chosen  from  the  past; 

Or  darkly  prophesied  the  future  — 
Omens,  which  our  lives  o'ercast. 

Wierd  omens  of  tomorrow 

Permeate  our  dreams  tonight;  — 

Ghosts  of  yesterday  aye  haunt  us, 
Even  in  the  sunshine  bright. 

Yesterday,  we  think  is  buried, 

But  alas!      It  is  not  dead! 
It  arises  to  confront  us, — 

By  dream  phantoms  we  are  led. 

Oft  our  waking  thoughts  are  shadows 
Of  Life's  night,  when  gloomy  thought 

Permeated  all  our  being; 

Woven  by  what  we  have  wrought. 


39 


Our  bright  dreams  are  pieced  together 
From  sweet  flowers,  wet  with  dew; 

They  have  even  now  the  perfume 
Of  the  dream-land  where  they  grew. 

Many  dreams  are  sad,  and  gloomy, 
And  are  wet  by  tears  we  shed 

O'er  mistakes  we  e'er  are  making, 
Or  some  word  we  should  have  said. 

All  of  life  is  dreaming,  dreaming, 
But  some  time  we'll  wake  to  know 

That  though  life  was  spent  in  dream-land, 
Oft  we  caught  bright  heaven's  glow. 


40 


SEEK  THE  SUNSHINE. 

We  will  go  where  there  is  sunshine, 
In' the  shadow  will  not  stay, 

For  to  us  belongs  the  sunlight; 
We  will  drink  it  in  each  day. 

Do  not  live  among  the  shadows, 
For  the  sunlight  is  for  you. 

There  is  sunshine  ever  somewhere; 
There  are  flowers  as  well  as  rue. 

Do  not  sip  the  gall  and  wormwood, 
Life  has  honey  everywhere; 

And  it  is  for  you  to  find  it; 

There  is  peace,  as  well  as  care. 

If  you  look  for  grief  you'll  find  it, 
It  is  lurking  on  life's  way, 

But  it  has  no  power  o'er  you, 
Nor  has  any  shadow  gray. 


41 


LOVE'S  KINGDOM. 
Thou  hast  come  into  Thy  kingdom.  " 

The  kingdom  is  within  thee, 

For  heaven  is  thy  goal. 
For  thee  there's  joy  and  gladness, 

For  thou  hast  found  thy  soul. 

Sweet  flowers  are  all  about  thee, 

God's  sunshine  in  thy  soul. 
The  flowers  are  saying  to  thee, 

Oh,  drink  from  Life's  bright  bowl!  " 

The  flowers  whisper  love-words, 
E'en  storm-clouds  blessings  bring. 

The  hills  in  their  rejoicing 
Sweet  songs  of  gladness  sing. 

Thou  must  not  be  despondent, 

There's  happiness  for  thee. 
Thy  crosses  are  not  many, 

Not  lighter  could  they  be. 


42 


Thy  troubles  are  not  many, 

Nor  very  hard  to  bear. 
Thou  wilt  not  sink  beneath  them, 

For  God  doth  for  thee  care. 

Thy  home  is  one  of  beauty, 

And  love  doth  on  thee  wait, 
He  maketh  home  so  happy  — 

'Tis  heaven's  bright  golden  gate. 

E'en  though  storm-clouds  have  gathered, 

And  burdens  on  thee  lain, 
All  flowers  are  the  brighter 

When  watered  by  the  rain. 

Look  out  upon  the  hillside  — 
The  clouds  have  cleared  away. 

Have  hope  for  the  tomorrow, 
Forget  life's  yesterday. 


43 


LOVE'S  HOME. 

This  is  a  little  nest,  dear, 
That  I  have  built  for  thee; 

It  is  to  us  a  mansion, 

For  happy  hearts  have  we. 

The  sun  peeps  in  at  windows, 
And  lights  up  every  room; 

E'en  sunshine  seems  much  brighter 
When  woven  on  Love's  loom. 

There's  sunshine  all  about  us, 
No  storm-cloud  can  we  see; 

With  sunshine  in  our  hearts,  dear, 
How  happy  we  shall  be ! 

Though  we  have  known  some  sorrow, 

Perhaps  'twas  better  so; 
For  selfishness  doth  enter 

In  heart  that  knows  not  woe. 

Our  home  hath  been  made  dearer 

By  every  change  in  life; 
For  Love  hath  been  companion, 

And  driven  out  all  strife. 


44 


We'll  have  a  garden,  dearest, 

And  plant  Love's  sweetest  flowers. 

We'll  prune  away  all  discord, 
And  rest  in  Love's  own  bowers. 

But  we  have  not  done  building, 
We're  building  home  above. 

God's  sunshine  lighting  heaven 
And  filling  home  with  love. 


45 


MY  SOUL'S  MATE. 

Thou  comest  to  me  from  out  the  dim  past; 

The  love  of  my  soul  called  to  thee; 
It  wakened  thee  from  thy  long,  long  sleep, 

E'er  more  my  soul  mate  thou  wilt  be. 

Though  now  that  dead  past  a  shadow  seems, 

It  then  was  as  real  as  now  — 
A  heaven  that  past  then  seemed  to  us, 

And  we  to  that  past  must  bow. 

As  never  our  love  beginning  had, 
So  never  our  love  will  have  end. 

Our  love,  with  Almighty,  hath  a  part, 
To  laws  of  His  will  we  must  bend. 

In  ages  long  gone,  even  as  now 
We  plighted  our  troth  with  a  kiss, 

We'll  never  forget — ever  will  love  — 
Eternal  with  God  is  our  bliss. 


46 


ACROSS  THE  "GREAT  DIVIDE' 

Across  die   "Great  Divide"    I  stand, 

And  looking'  o'er  to  thee 
I  see  the  gulf  that  'tween  us  lies  — 

Oh!      Dost  thou  pity  me? 

Oh,  heart  of  mine  which  wildly  throbs! 

Be  still!      The  fault  was  mine. 
I  little  thought  that  I  should  lose 

Thy  love,  which  was  divine. 

Thou  art  so  pure,  so  free  from  sin, 

Thou  couldst  not  happy  be 
With  one  who  is  of  earthly  mold  — 

'Tis  better  thou  art  free. 

But  think  of  me,  and  pray  for  me 
While  here  on  earth  you  bide, 

That  I  may  sometime  cross  the  gulf  — 
May  cross  the  "Great  Divide". 

If  not  on  earth,  O,  then  in  heaven 

I  would  with  thee  abide, 
Would  cross  to  thee  o'er  crystal  sea  — 

Across  the  "Great  Divide". 


47 


SHADOWS. 

There  is  a  shadow  by  the  fireside, 

There  is  an  empty  chair, 
I  seem  to  hear  low  footsteps  echo 

Upon  the  lonely  stair. 

With  bated  breath  I  stop  to  listen  — 

My  beating  heart  I  hear. 
The  loved  ones  who  have  gone  before  me 

In  shadowy  forms  appear. 

I  listen  to  their  low  sweet  voices, 

They  thrill  me,  in  the  gloom. 
They  throb,  and  to  me  bear  a  message 

That  fills  the  silent  room. 

I  am  impatient  for  the  roll-call, 

For  death,  I  do  not  fear; 
Life's  shadows  darker  grow,  and  lengthen, 

I  know  that  rest  is  near. 

Almighty  force  to  me  is  calling, 

Is  calling  me  away. 
I  cannot  by  the  wayside  tarry, 

The  call  I  must  obey. 


48 


SUNSHINE. 

The  sun  of  hope  drives  every  shadow 
From  my  heart  and  from  my  home. 

In  every  nook  and  every  corner, 

Hope's  bright  flowers  seem  to  bloom. 

For  loving  friends  are  all  around  me, 
There  is  now  no  vacant  chair. 

Sweet  songs  are  sung  by  angel  voices, 
And  they  fill  the  vibrant  air. 

My  heart  with  joy  is  ever  thrilling, 
It  is  filled  with  sweet  delight. 

For  every  shadow  has  departed; 
It  is  nevermore  dark  night. 

Though  angel  voices  still  are  calling, 

Never  message  has  alloy; 
And  nevermore  are  shadows  falling 

For  my  heart  is  filled  with  joy. 

The  voice  of  God  is  Force  Almighty, 

It  is  all  there  is  of  life. 
This  force  is  in  all  things  created, 

It  is  harmony,  not  strife. 


49 


IS  IT  WELL  WITH  THEE? 

Is  it  well  with  thee,  my  friend? 
Or  to  burdens  must  thou  bend? 
Even  as  the  tree  doth  bend 
To  the  storm  that  doth  it  rend. 

Trust  me,  love  me,  O  my  friend! 
I  would  gladly  thee  defend 
Erorii  each  sorrow  and  each  care, 
That  is  met  with  everywhere. 

Eor  each  trouble,  for  each  grief, 
I  would  gladly  bring  relief. 
For  in  past  years  thou  wast  mine; 
Still  for  thee  I  daily  pine. 

If  not  well  with  thee,  my  friend, 
Wilt  thou  not  on  me  depend? 
Art  thou  satisfied  with  life? 
With  its  cares  and  all  its  strife? 

I  have  waited  long  for  thee, 
It  doth  seem  eternity. 
If  thou' It  trust  thyself  to  me, 
Not  in  vain  thy  trust  shall  be. 


50 


LOVE  IS  OUR  HERITAGE. 

The  grave  is  but  a  covered  bridge 
That  leads  from  light  to  light. 
Therein  is  buried  every  grief 
And  phantom  of  life  s  night. 

At  morn  we  wake  in  heaven  bright, 
Earth's  griefs  forgotten  are. 
Sweet  life  immortal  we  now  have, 
With  nothing  to  debar 

Us  from  our    heritage  of  love, 
The  love  that  is  our  due, 
If  we  have  loved  our  fellow-man 
And  unto  him  proved  true. 


The  flowers  that  belong  to  me 
Are  earned  by  love,  I  know, — 
None  others  I  would  wish,  nor  have, 
I  e'en  would  love  my  foe. 


51 


HOPE'S  SEA. 

Hope's  sea  is  not  so  far  away  — 

In  heart  of  all  it  ever  lies; 
Surrounded  is  by  faith  and  love, 

And  in  the  heart  hope  never  dies, 

The  hills  surrounding  sea  are  high, 

But  they  are  easy  of  access; 
They  covered  are  by  sweetest  flowers, 

Which  in  life's  book  we  gladly  press. 

Though  road  sometimes  may  seem  obscured, 
And  hidden  oft  by  shadows  gray, 

Discouraged  we  should  never  be, 

But  pluck  hope's  flowers  on  life's  bright  way. 

On  sea  of  Hope  are  many  ships, 

So  strong,  so  staunch,  and  ever  true. 

The  pilots  e'en  can  trusted  be, 

They  ever  keep  Hope's  land  in  view, 


52 


WHAT  IS  ELECTRICITY? 

It  is  the  power  that  rules  mankind; 

The  power  direct  from  God. 
'Tis  in  the  heavens  above,  around, 

It  is  beneath  the  sod. 

It  is  in  every  flower  that  grows, 
And  in  each  noxious  weed, 

It  is  in  every  thought  of  man, 
And  in  his  every  deed. 

It  is  the  power  that  rules  the  world, 
On  land,  and  on  the  sea. 

It  is  the  light  and  heat  from  sun 
E'er  struggling  to  be  free. 

Electric  currents  bind  the  earth  — 

It  is  the  God  we  love. 
It  is  the  power  of  evil  too, 

Around,  about,  above. 

It  is  the  hate  within  the  heart  — 
The  storm  upon  the  sea  — 

The  light  that  e'er  illumes  the  soul- 
It  is  the  love  in  thee. 


53 


GIVE  THY  BEST. 

If  thou  hast  crushed  sweet  flowers  beneath  thy  feet, 
The  flowers  in  dying  give  their  fragrance  sweet 
To  all  the  air,  around,  about,  above; 
It  also  sinks  deep  into  hearts  that  love. 

If  thou  hast  broken  cup  that  held  Love's  wine, 
Some  thirsty  heart  for  wasted  draught  will  pine. 
Give  love,  e'en  though  thou  hast  a  cross  to  bear; 
For  love  is  what  is  needed  everywhere. 

Thou  mayest  hold  a  thought  that  some  one  needs, 
Pray  give  it  out,  for  it  may  kill  the  weeds 
That  have  been  springing  up  in  questioning  heart; 
But  thou  must  try  no  error  to  impart. 

An  impure  thought  is  poison  in  the  air; 
Then  over  every  thought  and  word  have  care. 
O,  give  thy  best,  whatever  it  may  be ! 
A  struggling  soul  from  error  thou  may'st  free. 

If  thou  has  ever  made  some  poor  heart  sad, 
Begin  at  once  to  make  another  glad. 
We  little  know  what  ill,  or  good  we  do 
By  word,  or  act;  and  often  we  may  woo 

54 


A  weary  heart,  a  sick  and  wounded  soul 
That  bravely  struggles  on  to  win  the  goal. 
Dost  think  that  there  is  naught  for  thee  to  do? 
Seek  for  the  truth,  and  to  thyself  "be  true. 

For  willing  hands  and  hearts,  there  e'er  is  work; 
Then  friend,  be  sure  that  thou  no  duty  shirk. 
Some  sorrowing  one  may  in  his  heart  enshrine 
The  thought  thou  gav'  st,  the  cup  of  true  Love' s  wine. 

If  thou  hast  failed  the  needed  word  to  give, 
Beware!      Thou  never  canst  thyself  forgive. 
When  once  thy  opportunity  is  lost, 
It  comes  not  back  —  it  is  forever  lost. 

Then  give  the  word  that  thou  this  day  shouldst  speak, 
Some  hungry  soul  that  word  e'en  now  doth  s,eek; 
And  if  thou  keepest  to  thyself  one  thought 
Which  to  the  world  is  due,  thou  hast  not  wrought 

The  work  that  in  this  world  is  thine  to  do. 
The  workers  in  life's  vineyard  are  too  few. 
If,  under  bushel  thou  dost  hide  thy  light, 
Thyself  must  suffer  darkness  as  the  night. 


55 


Today  begin;  tomorrow  is  too  late, 

For  even  now  some  one  for  word  doth  wait. 

No  one  can  speak  that  word  so  well  as  thou, 

Then  do  thy  duty;  speak  the  needed  word  just  now. 


56 


COUNT  NOT  ON  THE  MORROW. 

I'll  do  what  I  can  today, 

Tomorrow  I  may  die. 
I  would  not  leave  unfinished  work, 

And  death  is  ever  nigh. 

I'll  try  to  bury  selfishness, 

And  do  some  good  each  day; 

'Tis  better  far  to  live  the  right 
Than  to  forever  pray. 

I  see  deep  sorrow  everywhere, 
Some  grief  that  e'er  hath  worn 

The  hopefulness  from  heart  of  man, 
More  than  can  well  be  borne. 

Then  why  should  I  not  help  to  bear 
The  griefs  of  some  poor  soul? 

And  do  the  best  I  can  on  earth 
Though  heaven  may  be  my  goal. 

I  will  not  talk  of  Love's  behest, 

But  give  it  out  to  all ; 
And  those  who  need  my  love  and  help, 

Can  ever  on  me  call. 


57 


Each  day  I  live  is  one  the  less 

That  is  allotted  me; 
Then  I  must  work  for  poor  mankind, 

Must  work  incessantly. 

I'll  plant  a  flower  of  love  somewhere, 
Or  give  some  thought  to  those 

Who  toiling  on  life's  uphill  road 
Have  naught  but  griefs  and  woes. 

I'm  one  day  nearer  home  I  know 

Than  I  was  yesterday. 
Tomorrow  may  not  come  to  me  — 

I'll  do  my  work  today. 


58 


ISLAND  OF  SWEET  CONTENT. 

"Sweet  Content"    is  name  of  island 

In  Happy  sea. 
Let  us  land  upon  this  island, 

For  it  is  free. 

We  can  live  upon  the  summit, 

It  is  not  high. 
We  can  climb  each  day  a  little, 

If  we  but  try. 

Though  the  days  be  dark  and  dreary, 

And  black  the  night, 
We  must  bear  the  darkness  somehow, 

And  hope  for  light. 

Though  we  have  but  little  money, 

If  we  have  health, 
We  will  give  up  all  complaining, 

Gold  is  not  wealth. 

We  must  ever  struggle  onward 

O'er  life's  hard  road; 
Though  we  bend  beneath  our  burdens, 

Beneath  each  load; 


59 


On  this  island  we  will  bury 

Every  grief; 
Sweet  Content  the  mound  will  cover, 

And  give  relief. 

Ev'ry  day  we'll  gain  a  little, 

Until  at  last 
Sweet  Content  is  ours  forever; 

To  earth  is  cast 

Ev'ry  sorrow,  ev'ry  trouble, 

And  Sweet  Content 
Is  our  heritage  forever; 

'Tis  heaven  sent. 

Sweet  Content  is  now  our  haven, 

P^ound  at  last; 
And  life's  ship  will  rest  in  harbor, 

'Tis  anchored  fast. 


60 


THE  ISLAND  OF  REST. 

I  am  weary,  O,  so  weary! 

I  would  go  to  the  Isle  of  Rest. 
'Mong  the  flowers  would  cast  my  burdens, 

Lay  them  on  dear  Nature's  breast. 

"  I  will  give  you  rest  and  comfort"- 

This  is  Nature's  glad  refrain. 
"Lean  on  me —  obey  my  teachings, 

They  will  never  be  in  vain." 

Let  us  pack  up  all  our  troubles, 
Take  them  to  the  Isle  of  Rest; 

Bury  them  beneath  the  flowers; 
Then  for  happiness  make  quest. 

If  we  look  for  peace  and  comfort, 
We  need  never  seek  in  vain; 

We  can  find  it  on  Rest  Island, 
No  one  ever  need  complain. 

When  at  last  earth  life  is  over, 
And  we  come  to  our  long  rest, 

Though  we've  made  mistakes  full  many, 
We  perhaps  have  done  our  best. 

61 


THE  ISLAND  OF  FARAWAY. 

To  this  island  of  joy  and  of  gladness, 

I  am  traveling  ever  and  aye; 
To  this  isle  of  perpetual  sunshine, 

To  the  island  of  far,  Faraway. 

I  am  seeking  this  island  of  sunshine; 

It  has  never  a  shadow  of  gray, 
But  its  shore-line  is  ever  receding, 

The  bright  haven  of  isle  Faraway. 

To  the  isle  of  eternal  bright  sunlight, 
My  weak  life-ship  is  speeding  alway. 

To  the  island  of  Hope's  brightest  promise, 
To  the  isle  of  Hope's  dreams,  Faraway. 

Oh,  so  many  the  ships  that  have  sunken 
On  the  breakers  of  Faraway  bay! 

Also  lost  all  the  hopes  that  were  in  them, 
Near  the  island  of  sad  Faraway. 

Though  my  hopes  may  seem  buried  forever, 
And  sweet  dreams  may  have  vanished  away; 

All  the  dreams  may  come  true  some  fair  morning, 
And  my  hopes  be  fulfilled  some  bright  day. 


62 


If  we're  seeking  for  fame  and  for  honor, 

They  elude  us  forever  and  aye; 
They  seem  buried  beneath  the  dark  waters  — 

'Neath  the  shadows  of  life's  Faraway. 

We  must  never,  though,  give  up  discouraged, 
But  must  seek  to  rise  higher  each  day. 

Though  life' s  ship  may  be  weighted  with  sorrows 
Heaven's  harbor  is  not  far  away. 

In  this  harbor  is  never  a  sorrow, 

Songs  of  gladness  are  heard  all  the  day. 

E'en  the  ocean  seems  singing  a  love  song 
Near  the  island  of  bright  Faraway. 

We  shall  enter  this  harbor  of  heaven, 
If  our  Captain's  commands  we  obey. 

In  the  sea  of  God's  glory  is  island; 
This  fair  island  of  sweet  Faraway. 


63 


THE  ISLAND  OF  MAKE-BELIEVE. 

I  am  going  to  Make-believe  island ; 

It  is  in  the  lake  Bye-and-bye, 
I  shall  evermore  live  on  this  island, 

Never  cloud  obscures  the  bright  sky. 

I  shall  be  so  contented  and  happy 
On  this  island  of  Make-believe. 

There  will  never  be  trouble,  nor  worry, 
And  bright  fairy  tales  I  shall  weave. 

On  this  island  no  friend  will  prove  faithless, 
I  shall  have  the  love  of  mankind. 

Untold  wealth  will  be  mine  for  the  wishing  - 
On  this  isle,  rare  jewels  I'll  find. 

All  my  gowns  will  be  dreams  of  rare  beauty, 

And  a  palace  will  be  my  home. 
Love  will  reign,  and  will  rule  on  this  island; 

From  this  isle  I  never  will  roam. 


64 


THE  ISLAND  OF  DISCONTENT. 

There  is  an  isle  called  "Discontent", 

And  many  on  it  land; 
Though  nothing  there  is  ever  right, 

And  homes  they  left  "were  grand". 

It  is  too  hot,  or  is  too  cold. — 

If  they  had  stayed  at  home 
They  would  have  been  so  happy  now; 

Alas!      Why  did  they  roam! 

The  people  dwelling  on  this  isle, 

Unhappy  are;    distraught. 
O,  why  did  they  come  to  this  place, 

Where  each  some  trouble  brought? 

And  all  who  land  upon  this  isle, 

Are  filled  with  discontent, 
For  happiness  is  not  here  known, 

By  trouble  it  is  rent. 

'Tis  ever  thus  with  discontent, 

What'er  is  past  is  best. 
Complaints  are  all  you  ever  hear, 

From  them  you  have  no  rest. 


65 


WHAT  IS  LIFE  r 

'Tis  scattering  sand  at  the  seaside, 
'Tis  scattering  flowers  by  the  way, — 
'Tis  sending  forth  love  to  the  loveless, 
Thus  bright'ning  each  dark,  gloomy  day. 

The  sand  that  we  scatter  at  seaside, 
In  time,  will  e'en  nourish  sweet  flowers, 
The  flowers  that  we  drop  on  life's  pathway, 
Help  ever  to  brighten  Love's  bowers. 

The  thoughts  that  we  send  where  most  needed 
Help  ever  to  brighten  some  heart, 
Will  lighten  some  soul's  heavy  burden, 
If  we,  in  our  strength,  bear  a, part. 

Thought  nurtured  by  reason  and  knowledge, 
When  nourished  by  Love  at  the  root, 
Will  hide  all  the  places  unsightly, 
And  flowers  of  the  soul  upward  shoot. 

To  send  out  our  thoughts  to  the  thoughtless, 
E'er  helps  them  their  souls  to  unfold. 
To  teach  them  to  think  is  far  better  — 
Ear  better  than  silver  or  gold. 


66 


Then  send  to  the  weary  a  soul-thought, 
If  sent  from  life's  garden  each  day, 
'Tis  better  than  wealth,  fame  or  honor; 
O,  scatter  good  thoughts  on  life's  way! 

By  casting  good  thoughts  on  life's  waters, 
Full  many  a  soul  will  be  fed, 
And  hearts  be  refreshed,  and  made  happy- 
By  reason  should  man  e'er  be  led. 

If  we  could  but  know  all  the  heart  aches 
That  sister,  or  brother  must  bear; 
We  ever  would  pity,  not  censure, 
As  on  life's  hard  journey  we  fare. 

The  good  that  we  cast  on  life's  waters, 
Returns  on  the  incoming  tide; 
Good  thoughts  that  we  scatter  while  living, 
In  heaven,  with  us  will  abide. 

Good  travels  on  beams  of  bright  sunlight, 
And  sows  her  kind  deeds  by  the  way; 
Though  Evil  is  sometimes  her  shadow, 
He  cannot,  by  Good,  ever  stay. 


67 


' THOUGHTS  ARE  THINGS." 

Blest  are  the  tears  of  sympathy! 

Blest  is  the  heart  that  swells 
With  pity  for  poor  brother  man, 

For  love  within  it  dwells. 

The  world  is  made  from  what  we  are, 

And  e'en  our  simplest  thought 
Is  garnered  up  by  some  one's  soul, 

And  good,  or  ill  is  wrought. 

We  little  know,  as  we  pass  on, 

What  power  we  have  had 
On  those  whose  garments  we  have  touched, 

Impressing  good,  or  bad. 

For  "Thoughts  are  Things",  we  surely  know, 

O,  stain  them  not  by  ill! 
Have  clean  the  garments  of  the  soul, 

And  love-songs  ever  trill. 

Could  friend,  or  foe,  our  hearts  inspect, 

What  blemish  could  they  see? 
A  tarnished  surface,  possibly  — 

From  selfishness  not  free. 


68 


"AND  A  LITTLE  CHILD  SHALL 
LEAD  THEM." 

A  storm  is  raging,  and  the  thund'rous  clouds 

Make  black  the  night;— while  'mong  the  shrouds 

The  wind  is  howling  like  a  demon  wild. 

Yon  laboring  ship  with  wreckage  high  is  piled  — 

When  Lo!      A  cry  is  heard  from  out  the  gloom, 

Another  ship  is  sinking  to  her  tomb! 

A  flash  of  lightning  shows  (upon  the  wave) 

A  little  child  fast  sinking  to  her  grave. 

A  sailor  with  a  thought  of  child,  and  home, 
Springs  from  the  deck  into  the  seething  foam. 
His  brawny  arms  outstretched,  he  grasps  the  mite, 
And  then  begins  his  seeming  futile  fight 
To  save  this  child;  she  seems  to  him  his  own. 
His  very  soul  with  agony  doth  groan; 
And  death  to  him  is  naught  to  loss  of  child, 
But  gentle  breeze  to  him  the  tempest  wild. 

From  seeming  sinking  ship -a  rope  is  thrown; 
A  piece  of  wreck  to  him  is  also  blown. 
With  aid  of  these  he  once  more  reaches  ship 
And  grasps  with  almost  superhuman  grip 


69 


The  willing  hands  of  mates  held  out  in  love; 
And  soon  both  child  and  man  are  raised  above 
The  vessel's  side,  from  out  the  raging  sea, 
From  out  the  seething  black  immensity. 

A  tiny  baby  girl!      O,  why  was  she 
Saved  from  the  treach'rous,  black,  tumultuous  sea? 
No  father,  mother,  knowing  not  her  name  — 
Her  place  of  going,  nor  from  whence  she  came. 
An  angel  child  from  heav'n  she  may  have  been, 
Sent  to  this  earth  to  save  mankind  from  sin, 
And  sin's  dark  offspring  —  never  sleeping  woe; 
Who  can  the  mys'try  solve?     Ah!  Who  can  know? 

Life's  meaning,  or  its  many  problems  deep, 

The  why  we  live,  or  die,  or  laugh  or  weep.  — 

They  felt  she  was  a  gift  direct  from  God, 

So  named  her  "Angel  Child"  with  one  accord. 

She  worshipped  was  by  captain,  sailor,  mate, 

They  fashioned  her  a  throne,  and  all  did  wait 

Upon  their  queen,  who  sat  in  regal  state; 

And  bright  now  seemed  the  ship,  as  heaven's  gate. 


70 


To  find  some  dainty  thing  to  make  the  child  a  slip 
Each  vied  with  each,  on  board  the  ship. 
No  oath,  nor  impure  word  was  ever  heard; 
And  every  heart  with  love  for  child  was  stirred. 
They  all  began  to  plan  what  they  might  do. — 
By  loving  her  it  made  their  lives  more  true. 
Henceforth  was  "Angel  Child"  the  beacon  star 
To  rule  their  lives,  and  guide  them  o'er  Death's  bar. 


71 


TODAY  IS  OURS. 

Today  is  ours  to  rectify 
Mistakes  we  made  on  yesterday. 
Tomorrow  never  comes  to  us, 
E'  en  though  for  it  we  ever  pray. 

Today  is  ours  with  all  it  holds; 
We'll  bury  sad,  sad  yesterday  — 
And  plant  the  yew  upon  its  grave, 
Then  leave  the  mound  forever,  aye. 

And  on  the  grave  of  yesterday 
We  will  not  shed  one  single  tear; 
E'en  though  it  brought  us  many  griefs, 
It  also  gave  us  much  of  cheer. 

We  have  today  to  do  our  work; 
Tomorrow  may  bring  us  regret; 
But  we  should  only  count  the  now, — 
Why  worry  o'er  the  past,  and  fret? 

Our  life  is  what  we  make  of  it; 
Then  watch  o'er  every  word  and  deed; 
Forget  the  past,  yet  hold  the  good, 
And  of  the  present  only  heed. 


72 


THE  GODDESS  LOVE. 

The  goddess  Love  came  to  my  home, 

Left  flowers  everywhere. 
Then,  pleadingly,  this  favor  asked, 

That  she  my  home  might  share. 

I  bade  her  welcome  to  my  hearth, 

Took  note  of  all  she  said. 
I  found  I  oft  had  made  mistakes, 

Had  not  by  Love  been  led. 

Love  is  the  queen  that  rules  the  world; 

None  can  her  word  gainsay. 
She  ever  dries  the  mourner's  tears  — 

E'en  sin  will  her  obey. 

And  on  the  lower  planes  of  life 

The  tie  of  Love  doth  bind 
The  bird  to  bird,  the  beast  to  beast; 

Each  one  to  his  own  kind. 

Then  let  us  cherish  Love  alvvay, 

In  reverence  to  her  bow. 
A  laurel  wreath  of  loving  deeds 

Entwine  upon  her  brow. 


WHY  ? 

Why  should  not  we  be  happy? 

The  birds  around  us  sing, 
The  flowers  send  forth  their  perfume, 

The  bees  their  honey  bring. 

The  sun  is  shining  brightly, 

No  cloud  is  in  life's  sky; 
Then  why  should  we  e'er  worry 

About  the  bye  and  bye? 

Though  clouds  may  come  tomorrow, 
The  flowers  still  will  bloom, 

Will  still  send  forth  their  perfume, 
Then  why  are  we  in  gloom? 

Away,  dull  care  forever! 

With  joy  we'll  mark  today 
And  count  our  many  blessings, 

Forget  sad  yesterday. 

And  happiness  now  treasure, 

'Tis  better  far  than  gold, 
Joy  comes  if  we  will  let  her  — 

And  peace  will  us  enfold. 


DON'T  WORRY. 

What  is  the  use  to  worry? 

What  is  the  use  to  fret? 
Though  life  has  many  problems, 

They  ever  can  be  met. 

Though  life  seems  full  of  sorrow, 
There's  much  of  happiness; 

If  seeking  it,  you'll  find  it, 
God  will  your  efforts  bless. 

We  find  whate'er  we  look  for; 

Then  look  for  joy,  not  woe; 
Behind  life's  clouds  is  sunshine, 

On  others,  it  bestow. 

The  mornings  may  be  gloomy, 
And  clouds  obscure  the  sky; 

By  noon  the  sun  be  shining, 
Life's  day  clears  bye  and  bye. 

By  nursing  little  troubles 
They  grow,  until  at  last 

Life  seems  not  worth  the  living,— 
It  is  with  clouds  o'ercast, — 


Is  filled  with  dark  forebodings, 
Its  pleasures  we  forget; 

Dark  phantoms  e'er  surround  us, 
And  life  is  one  regret.  — 

And  never  talk  of  trouble, 
It  grows  with  every  word, 

And  soon  it  overwhelms  us; 
By  demons  it  is  heard, 

f 

Who  glory  in  your  troubles, 
Help  nurse  them  in  your  heart; 

They  help  to  nurture  anguish 
Till  of  your  life  'tis  part. 

No  need  to  nurse  your  sorrows, 
They  thrive  with  little  care; 

They  thrive  on  your  forebodings, 
Despondency  their  fare. 

Then  never,  never  worry, 
Then  never,  never  fret; 

Though  troubles  come  not  singly, 
Why  not  them  all  forget? 


76 


And  bury  every  sorrow, 

And  cover  it  full  deep; 
Plant  heart' s-ease  by  the  tombstone. 

Go  not  to  grave  to  weep. 

Sweet  flowers  will  soon  be  growing, 
Upon  the  grave  of  past;  — 

Sad  yesterday  we'll  bury; 
Our  life  she  shall  not  blast. 

Though  trouble  seems  to  haunt  us, 
We  can  its  ghost  e'er  lay; 

It  only  comes  in  darkness, 
Will  flee  by  light  of  day. 

Has  life  to  us  been  given? 

To  fill  with  vain  regret? 
O,  bury  all  past  troubles, 

And  then,  them  all  forget! 


77 


LOVE. 

What  now  shall  be  my  subject? 

What  next  shall  be  my  theme? 
Shall  it  be  Love  immortal? 

Shall  it  be  Love's  sweet  dream? 

If  Love  inspires  my  poem, 
And  it  may  worthy  seem; 

It  is  my  soul's  sweet  sleeping, 
Love  is  my  soul's  pure  dream. 

E'en  in  all  rhyme  and  reason 
Love  guides,  and  Love  enfolds; 

There  is  no  life  without  it, 
All  life  it  builds  and  molds. 

I'll  sing  a  song  of  loving; 

There's  nothing  else  to  say, 
For  Love  rules  all  creation, 
•      And  we  must  her  obey. 


78 


TO  THE  UNKNOWN  GOD. 

God  of  nature,  Thou  art  building, 
Building  now,  as  in  past  ages. — 
Didst  Thou  build,  create,  from  nothing? 
From  the  atom,  Thou  hast  builded, 
But  from  what  didst  thou  make  atom? 
Thou  the  hills  and  valleys  madest, 
Ne'er  beginning,  never  ending. 

First  the  clouds,  and  then  the  rain-drops; 
First  the  lightning,  then  the  thunder; 
Gentle  winds,  and  welcome  sunshine; 
Sunlight,  moonlight,  outer  darkness. 
Tiny  dew-drops,  falling,  falling 
On  the  mountains,  in  the  valleys, 
Flowers  drinking  of  the  nectar. 

There  was  life  within  the  aeons, 

There  is  life  in  all  creation. 

Nature  sings  to  Thee  sweet  anthems. 

Hallelujahs  to  Thy  glory.  - 

After  seed  time  comes  the  harvest; 

After  blossoms  comes  the  fruitage ; 

All  is  law,  through  seeming  chaos. 


79 


Last  came  man,  perhaps  the  highest, — 
Though  his  birthplace  was  the  atom, 
He  may  mate  some  day  with  angels, — 
E'en  companion  of  the  Master. 
Master  builder,  the  Creator 
Of  the  seed,  the  flowers,  the  atom, 
Of  the  suns,  the  stars,  the  planets. 

Will  we  ever  know  in  future 

Any  better  than  at  present? 

E'er  behold  Thee,  ever  know  Thee. 

To  primordial  man  Thou  gavest 

Messages  for  all  his  future; 

Gav'st  to  him  a  soul,  a  spirit, 

Whispered  to  his  soul,  commandments. 

Unknown  God,  we  feel  Thy  presence, 
Eeel  Thy  presence,  hourly,  daily; 
See  Thee  in  the  tiny  dew-drop, 
Feel  Thee  in  the  thunder,  lightning, 
See  Thee  in  all  things  created. 
Seeing  Thee,  and  yet  not  seeing, 
Knowing  Thee,  and  yet  not  knowing. — 


80 


Though  unknown,  we  know  we  love  Thee. 
Thou  wast  God  in  the  beginning. — 
Was  there  ever  a  beginning? 
W7ill  there  ever  be  an  ending? 
Wrorld  and  planets  Thou  hast  builded, 
Even  though  by  evolution. — 
Thou  art  God,  the  great  Creator, 
Ever  was,  and  ever  will  be. 


LIFE'S  DREAMS. 

From  the  cradle  to  the  grave, 

Life  is  a  dream. 
Full  oft  a  nightmare  dark  and  drear, 

And  then  a  gleam 
Of  light  celestial  from  on  high 

Doth  come  to  us, 
It  seems  to  come  from  heaven's  gate 

All  glorious. 

The  dark,  dark  night  doth  pass  away, 

Then  comes  the  morn: 
A  flood  of  light  resplendent, 

Effulgent  dawn. 
The  gloomy  dream  hath  passed  away 

With  the  dark  night. 
The  morning  brings  to  us  sweet  Hope 

And  Hope  brings  light. 


82 


THE  MATING  OF  THE  TREES. 

The  trees  are  kissing  each  other, 
And  whispering  words  of  love. 

The  wind  sends  forth  a  jealous  cry: 
The  sun  looks  down  from  above 

And  warms  the  home  of  the  wedded  trees, 
Gives  flowers  to  the  happy  pair. — 

The  wind  is  conquered  by  the  sun, 
That  sends  its  rays  everywhere. 

A  storm  cloud  passing  o'er  the  sky 
Saw  what  the  angry  wind  had  done, 

And  shedding  tears  of  sympathy, 
A  victory  o'er  the  wind  soon  won. 

The  squirrels  jump  from  tree  to  tree, 
And  watching  e'er  the  happy  pair, 

Begin  to  think  of  love  themselves, 
For  love  is  filling  all  the  air. 

The  flowers  breathe  love  to  other  flowers, 
And  will  to  them  their  pollen  give: 

Thus  bringing  beauty  to  their  lives:  — 
Though  flowers  accept,  they  always  give. 


83 


All  nature  sings  glad  songs  of  joy  - 
The  brook  goes  dancing  on  its  way; 

E'er  singing  joyons  songs  of  love, 
Is  happy  all  the  livelong  day. 

The  birds  are  mating  in  the  trees; 

The  crickets  sing  among  the  ferns  — 
The  bee  is  sipping  honey-dew, 

And  love  from  nature  ever  learns. 

For  e'en  the  snake  doth  love  his  mate, 
And  follows  her  where'er  she  goes. 

And  if  by  death  he  loses  her, 

Will  seek  revenge  upon  her  foes. 

Though  nature  sings  sweet  songs  of  joy, 
She  often  grieves  o'er  pleasures  lost. 

All  life  is  much  the  same  on  earth, 
And  all  of  life  is  tempest-tossed. 


84 


LIFE'S  JOURNEY. 

A  few  more  days  of  worry, 
A  few  more  days  of  care, 
A  few  more  tears  have  fallen, 
A  few  more  griefs  we  bear. 

A  few  more  days  of  laughter, 
A  few  more  days  of  joy, 
A  few  more  days  of  pleasure, 
Not  darkened  by  alloy. 

Then  —  Whither  are  we  going? 
When  we  lie  down  to  sleep, 
The  sleep  that  knows  no  waking 
The  long,  long  dreamless  sleep! 

We  say  good  night  to  earth-life; 
The  morning  brings  us  light. 
We  wake  to  new  conditions, 
So  joyous  and  so  bright. 

Eorgetting  all  past  worries, 
Eorgetting  all  past  tears  — 
Eorgetting  all  past  sorrows, 
Forgetting  all  past  fears. 


85 


Though  hand  is  not  so  steady, 
And  eye-sight  not  so  clear, 
Though  memory  is  failing, 
And  we  have  less  of  cheer, 

Though  days  begin  to  lengthen, 
And  shadows  longer  grow, 
Though  pleasures  seem  more  fleeting 
And  greater  seems  each  woe  — 

Though  step  has  lost  its  lightness 
And  harder  is  life's  race, 
Though  shortening  is  our  life  lease 
And  age  comes  on  apace, 

We've  just  begun  life's  journey, 
Real  life  is  not  on  earth. 
True  life  is  the  hereafter  — 
We  find  it  at  re-birth. 

We're  born  into  the  heaven 
That  we  have  made  below, 
We're  building,  ever  building, 
For  happiness  or  woe. 


86 


DEATH'S  JOURNEY. 

I  am  going  on  a  journey, 
But  the  way  I  do  not  know. 

Death  puts  forth  his  hand  and  calls  me 
Is  he  friend,  or  is  he  foe? 

Shall  I  go  from  light  to  darkness, 
From  the  sunshine,  into  gloom? 

Shall  I  come  from  out  the  shadow, 
Or  will  darkness  be  my  doom? 

E'en  though  Death  may  seem  a  terror 
Would  we  live  forever  on? 

Would  we  stay  on  earth  forever? 
Never  longing  for  the  dawn? 

For  the  bright  and  glorious  haven, 
Where  we  lay  our  burdens  down; 

If  we  bear  them,  not  complaining, 
We  shall  win  a  jeweled  crown. 

Though  our  crosses  may  seem  heavy, 
And  we  bend  beneath  their  weight, 

We  must  think  of  other's  burdens, 
As  we  meet  them  at  Life's  gate. 


87 


And  each  time  we  help  to  carry 
Crosses  that  are  not  our  own ; 

Troubles  of  our  own  will  lighten, 
For  we  bear  them  not  alone. 

We  must  help  our  brothers,  sisters, 
In  this  world  of  care  and  grief: 

And  by  doing  so  we  wonder 
That  we  find  such  sweet  relief. 

And  Death's  Journey  will  have  shortened, 
We  shall  find  no  dark,  dark  road, 

Sunshine  bright  will  light  our  pathway, 
Lighter  now  will  be  each  load. 


88 


LIVE  IN  THE  NOW. 

j 
We  hold  no  lease  of  tomorrow, 

We  only  have  the  now. 
Then  take  no  heed  for  the  future, 

But  to  the  present  bow. 

There's  work  for  you  now  waiting, 
And  you  must  do  that  work. 

Take  up  your  burdens  gladly, 
And  never  duty  shirk. 

And  never  trouble  borrow, 
For  interest  you  must  pay. 

It  does  no  good  to  worry  — 
Forget  the  yesterday. 

And  count  your  many  blessings, 

And  you  will  often  see 
That  they  outnumber  sorrows, — 

Then  happy  try  to  be. 

Sweet  flowers  you'll  find  in  pathway, 
And  they  God's  laws  obey; 

They  think  not  of  the  morrow, 
But  smile  for  Him  today. 


89 


WHAT  PRAYER  SHOULD  BE. 

Prayer  should  be  the  overflowing 
Of  the  soul  in  sweet  communion 
With  the  over-soul  of  Nature; 
With  the  Power  around,  above  us.— 
Words  are  oftimes  senseless  babbling, 
With  no  meaning,  and  not  helping 
Those  who  listen,  those  who  speak  them. 

God  speaks  words  to  all  who  listen; 
Speaks  them  to  the  soul  within  us; 
Silent  thoughts  so  pure  and  helpful 
To  the  world,  and  to  the  thinker. — 
Nature  speaks  to  man  forever 
In  sweet  flowers  by  wayside  growing, 
In  the  water-fall's  loud  roaring; 

In  the  ocean's  waves  e'er  dashing 
On  the  shores  in  rhythmic  measures: 
In  the  wind's  weird  moaning,  sighing, 
In  the  sunshine,  in  the  shadows, 
In  the  thunder,  in  the  lightning, — 
Morning  stars  may  sing  together, 
Angels  listen  to  their  music. 


90 


All  the  air  is  singing  anthems, 

All  creation  rings  with  praises: 

Praises  to  the  Great  Creator 

Of  all  things  from  man  to  atom. 

And  perhaps  God  loves  the  atom 

E'en  as  much  as  man. — Who  knowethr 


91 


WHERE  NO  HUMAN  FOOT  HATH  TROD, 

Give  to  me  the  virgin  forest, 

Where  no  human  foot  hath  trod; 

Where  the  trees  in  stately  grandeur 
Only  bow  their  heads  to  God. 

Where  no  voice  hath  desecrated 
The  music  of  the  woodland  call 

In  the  droning  of  the  insect, 
Or  the  song  of  waterfall. 

As  a  benediction  holy, 

This  sweet  music  doth  enthrall  — 
Filling  all  the  fragrant  forest 

And  my  heart  doth  answer  call. 

E'en  the  birds  are  singing  love-songs 

To  each  other  all  the  day; 
And  the  waterfall  is  singing 

On  its  laughing,  winding  way. 

Careless  man  hath  not  yet  trodden 

The  woodland  flower  beneath  his  feet 

Nor  defiled  the  sparkling  water 
That  with  joy  doth  seem  to  greet 


92 


Every  blade  of  grass,  or  pebble 

That  it  touches  on  its  way, 
Struggling  onward  to  the  ocean, 

Never  resting  night  nor  day. 

My  awakened  soul  doth  listen 

To  ''The  still  small  voice  of  God", 

That  is  speaking  in  the  silence, 

Where  no  human  foot  hath  trod. — 

I  would  sit  beneath  the  branches 
Of  some  tree  beside  a  brook  — 

I  would  listen  to  the  voices 

That  e'er  speak  in  Nature's  book. — 

Far  away  from  habitation ; 

Though  I  seem  to  be  alone, 
Birds  and  flowers  and  trees  are  speaking, 

\Yords  of  love  they  seem  to  drone. 


93 


THE  HEAVIEST  CROSS? 

Look  around  upon  your  neighbor  — 
Would  you  choose  his  cross  to  bear? 

Would  you  think  your  own  so  heavy 
If  you  knew  what  he  must  bear? 

You  have  many,  many  blessings, 
Try  to  find  them,  O,  my  friend! 

Then  your  cross  will  seem  less  heavy, 
As  your  back  to  it  you  bend. 

Try  to  bury  all  your  troubles 
In  the  grave  of  past  dead  years; 

Plant  sweet  flowers  of  hope  upon  it, 
Do  not  water  them  with  tears. 

You  will  watch  the  flowers  blooming, 
And  will  then  forget  the  past. 

And  so  bright  will  be  the  present, 
When  to  yesterday  you  cast 

All  your  griefs,  and  all  your  sorrows; 

Bury  them  in  grave  so  deep 
They  can  never  more  confront  you, 

And  you'll  wonder  why  you  weep. 


94 


Faith  and  Hope  are  loving  sisters, 
They  go  ever  hand  in  hand, — 

^Vith  their  arms  entwined  about  you, 
Ever  by  your  side  they  stand. 

Though  the  daylight  may  be  waning, 
And  life's  shadows  longer  grow; 

In  the  future  there  is  sunshine, 
On  your  brow  is  sunlight  glow. 

Take  your  cross,  and  bear  it  bravely 

For  no  other  can  it  bear; 
And  your  back  is  fitted  for  it;  — 

Pluck  life's  flowers,  sweet  and  rare. 

Then  your  cross  will  seem  much  lighter 
When  'tis  hidden  by  flowers  sweet  — 

You  may  find  a  crown  of  roses 

'Mid  the  thorns  that  pierce  your  feet. 

Look  again  upon  your  neighbor  — 

Note  his  heart-aches,  note  his  pain  — 

Then  begin  to  count  your  blessings, 
And  the  burdens  on  him  lain. 


95 


Blessings  may  not  be  divided 
As  you  think  they  ought  to  be: 

But  would  you  divide  more  justly 
If  from  trouble  you  were  free? 


96 


THE  ARCHITECT  PLANS  ;   GOD  BUILDS. 

"O,  architect,  architect,  plan  me  a  home! 

So  weary  I  am,  that  no  more  would  I  roam. 

I  long  for  a  home  with  true  Love  there  enshrined; 

A  garden  of  flowers  with  sweet  roses  combined. 

*  'There  must  be  a  place  for  true  Love  everywhere. 
A  palace  is  dreary  if  Love  is  not  there; 
Enshrined  must  he  be  in  each  corner  and  nook, 
His  smile  must  e'er  greet  me  wherever  I  look. 

"Then  spare  no  expense,  I  have  riches  untold, 
But  Love  is  far  better  than  silver  or  gold. 
Imprison  the  God,  that  he  go  not  astray; 
In  bonds  I  would  keep  him — with  me  must  he  stay." 


"Imprison  not  Love,  he  must  ever  be  free; 
Love's  fetters  alone  can  bind  Love  unto  thee. 
The  fetters  of  Love  must  be  welded  by  Love, 
The  heart  be  the  prison,  the  chain  forged  above. 


97 


"Alas!      O,  architect,  what  have  you  done? 
The  house  is  a  palace,  but  Love  is  not  won! 
I've  searched  for  true  Love  from  basement  to  dome, 
If  Love  has  departed,  Oh!    What  is  my  home!" 


"O,  Architect  God,  I  will  come  unto  Thee! 
A  home  Thou  wilt  give  me,  Thy  love  will  be  free. 
The  home  that  Thou  givest  is  filled  with  Thy  love, 
Eternal  in  glory,  eternal  above/ ' 


98 


THREE  SCORE  YEARS  AND  TEN. 

Smiles  and  tears  are  near  the  surface, 

So  recede  with  coming  years, 
But  our  thoughts  are  deeper,  stronger, 

And  the  past  to  us  appears 
As  a  landscape  dim  with  shadows; 

We  now  live  that  past  in  dreams. 
More  substantial  is  the  present, 

And  to  us  it  ever  seems 
E'er  recurring,    accidentals, 

Making  discord  in  life's  tune; 
Sharps  where  they  are  least  expected, 

Making  death  to  us  a  boon. — 

Vanished  joys  are  soon  forgotten, 

All  past  pleasures  are  as  naught: 
And  the  future  holds  no  promise  — 

Present  battles  must  be  fought. — 
As  a  journey  not  yet  taken, 

We  know  nothing  of  the  way, 
We  must  have  a  guide  to  help  us, 

And  the  guide  we  must  obey. 
We  are  thinking  more  of  heaven 

Knowing  that  we  soon  must  cast 
Off  this  earthly  tabernacle,  to 

Enter  realms  made  up  of  past. 

.  99 


A  WORLD  OF  CHANCE. 

A  world  of  chance !  —  Can  we  conceive 

No  ruling  power  above? 
No  order  in  the  universe, 

To  govern  us  by  love? 

I  shrink,  and  shiver  at  the  thought 
Of  what  we  might  have  been, 

Had  there  not  been  a  "First  Great  Cause" 
To  govern  all  within 

This  world  so  grand,  so  beautiful, 

And  other  worlds  in  space  — 
And  all  the  planets  and  the  stars 

That  God  doth  keep  in  place. 

We  do  not  know  —  we  cannot  know 

The  origin  of  life! 
Was  man  an  ^7/?^r-th ought  of  God  — 

Made  up  of  sin,  and  strife? 

Who  soon  began  to  doubt  the  laws 

That  God  gave  unto  him, 
Who  lived  in  darkness  in  the  past, 

Still  lives  in  shadows  dim. 

100 


OBLIVION. 

In  grave  of  deep  oblivion 
Sad  memory  doth  gladly  rest, 
And  Love  is  sleeping  by  her  side: 
Step  softly,  let  sad  mem'ry  rest. 


HOPE. 

The  flower  of  Hope  may  bud  and  bloom 
From  dark,  dark  seeds  of  grim  Despair; 
'Tis  only  sunshine  that  it  needs, 
And  th'  sun  doth  ever  shine  somewhere. 

LIFE. 

Life's  fabric  nearly  finished  is, 

It  is  imperfect,  though; 
So  many  stitches  broken,  dropped, 

W7hich  in  Life's  web  will  show. 
***** 

FAITH. 

We  scatter  seeds,  and  Faith  bids  us  believe 
That  they  will  burst  their  bonds  beneath  the  sod, 
And  springing  up  with  love,  and  thankfulness, 
Pay  tribute  to  their  Maker,  to  their  God. 

101 


LIFE'S  MYSTERY. 

How  little  we  can  understand 

The  mystery  of  life! 
From  whence  it  comes  and  where  it  goes, 

And  all  the  seeming  strife 

That  ever  fills  the  universe  — 

And  yet,  all  strife  is  law. 
The  earth  may  quake  in  seeming  wrath, 

And  everywhere  fierce  war. 

But  all  is  needed  in  God's  plan 

Of  building  up  this  world  — 
From  c/iaos,  order  is  evolved, 

No  lightning  bolt  is  hurled 

By  mother  Nature  in  her  work, 

But  that  is  sent  for  good. 
Volcanoes  burst  from  mountain  tops, 

As  part  of  Nature's  mood. 

Though  worlds  from  star-dust  may  be  formed, 

Created  by  the  Power  — 
The  Father  of  the  universe, 

As  well  as  tiny  flower. 


102 


Perhaps  in  fire-mist  life  was  born 

In  aeons  long  gone  by. 
We  know  not  when  the  soul  had  birth, 

But  know  it  will  not  die. 

Life  may  be  part  of  God  himself, 

Absorbed  again  will  be 
Into  the  Power  that  put  us  here, — 

But  this  is  mystery. 

It  was  not  chance  that  gave  us  birth; 

Chance  cannot  rule  nor  bind. 
Intelligence  of  unknown  power 

Doth  ever  rule  mankind. 

Not  only  man,  but  everything 

Around,  about,  above; 
And  this  we  feel  within  our  soul 

The  ruling  is  by  love. 

(),  man!      If  thou  couldst  realize 

That  thou  art  but  a  breath 
Of  the  great  living  universe! 

That  life  is  thine  —  not  death  ! 


103 


TO  A  FRIEND. 

The  clouds  now  dark,  will  clear  away, 

And  sunshine  come  to  you; 
'Tis  ever  darkest  'fore  the  dawn  — 

In  every  life  is  rue. 

Keep  up  your  courage  my  dear  friend; 

No  life  is  free  from  pain. 
All  hearts  have  some  of  bitterness, 

And  burdens  on  them  lain. 

The  rose  has  ever  its  sharp  thorns. 

Life's  garden  has  its  weeds, 
But  we  must  try  to  cover  them, 

By  sowing  heart' s-ease  seeds. 

The  cypress  in  life's  garden  grows, 

The  nightshade  and  the  rue, 
Though  many  pois'nous  weeds  are  there, 

They  were  not  meant  for  you. 

In  life's  fair  garden  pluck  not  weeds, 

But  choose  the  asphodel, 
For  it  wi  1  fill  your  heart  with  joy, 

And  all  its  gloom  dispel. 

104 


The  sun  will  shine  tomorrow,  friend, 
E'en  though  it  storms  today; 

Look  forward  to  the  sunshine  bright  — 
All  clouds  will  clear  away. 

And  when  the  past  is  dead  and  gone 

No  cloud  shall  it  o'ercast. 
So  bury  every  cross  you  have 

In  grave  of  the  dead  past. 

At  loss  of  friends,  Oh,  do  not  grieve; 

Though  you  need  not  forget. — 
Though  loss  is  yours,  the  gain  is  theirs, 

Then  have  no  vain  regret. 


105 


LIFE'S  MILESTONES. 

Another  milestone  has  been  passed, 

Another  year  has  gone. 
How  many  battles  have  we  fought? 

How  many  vict'ries  won 

O'er  selfishness,  and  unkind  thoughts, 

O'er  envy,  malice,  greed; 
The  milestones  nearer  are  each  year  — 

As  o'er  life's  road  we  speed. 

The  past  is  past,  and  buried  deep 

Beneath  life's  yesterday. 
Today  we'll  do  the  best  we  know, 

On  grave  of  past  we'll  lay 

A  wreath  of  sweet  forgetfulness. — 

Far  better  to  forget 
Each  good,  or  evil  deed  in  life, 

Than  live  in  vain  regret. 

Another  milestone  soon  will  come; 

We'll  welcome  it  with  joy; 
It  points  the  way  to  Heaven's  gate, 

And  life  without  alloy. 

106 


SOUL  THOUGHTS. 

Weave  your,  soul-thoughts  from  the  sunbeams, 
Never  weave  them  from  the  gloom, 

Warp  and  woof  from  purest  soul-thoughts 
W^oven  ever  on  Love' s  loom. 

Flowers  will  bloom  in  Life's  bright  garden, 

If  we  sow  but  flower  seeds. 
But  dissension  will  e'er  hide  them, 

By  allowing  poisonous  weeds 

To  spring  up  in  place  of  blossoms, 
Hiding  all  of  Love's  sweet  flowers. — 

Cultivate  the  good  within  you, 
It  will  bloom  in  heaven's  bovvers. 

Watch  Love's  flowers,  blooming  daily; 

If  they  show  the  least  decay, 
Prune  with  care  the  dying  branches, 

Cast  the  withered  ones  away. 

Then  the  buds  of  love  will  blossom. — 

With  your  smiles  then  cultivate 
All  your  soul-thoughts,  pure  and  tender; 

For  your  love  they  ever  wait. 


107 


LIFE. 

A  dream,  a  phantasy  is  life; 
For  some  'tis  peace,  for  some  'tis  strife; 
And  yet,  all  cling  to  it. 

'Tis  made  of  smiles,  'tis  made  of  tears; 
When  filled  with  joy  how  few  the  years! 
Life  seems  a  blessing  then. 

We  yet  may  solve  life's  mystery, 
Why  joy,  or  woe,  our  legacy; 

And  learn  to  cull  life's  flowers. — 

From  whence  came  we?    Where  do  we  go? 
On  earth  do  we  leave  all  of  woe? 
Have  only  peace  in  heaven. 

We  are  but  atoms  in  life's  plan; 

Yet  reaching  up  to  God,  is  man ; 

He  claims  his  heritage. 

Man  came  to  earth,  he  wished  it  not, 
And  with  his  coming,  evil  wrought; 
Or  so  the  legend  reads. 

But  he  is  here,  must  do  his  work, 
And  should  not  e'en  one  duty  shirk. 
His  life  work  seems  mapped  out. 

108 


LET  US  LOOK  ON  THE  BRIGHT 
SIDE  OF  LIFE. 

Though  our  burdens  seem  too  heavy, 
Even  more  than  we  can  bear, 

If  we  look  around,  about  us 
We  see  sorrow  everywhere. 

If  we  nurse  our  little  troubles, 
They  grow  greater  every  day; 

Till  at  last  they  overwhelm  us, 
And  will  ever  with  us  stay. 

O,  the  trouble!      O,  the  sorrow 
That  is  met  with  everywhere ! 

Let  us  try  to  be  unselfish, 

And  life's  burdens  help  to  share. 

And  by  helping  friend,  or  neighbor 
Upon  whom  life's  burdens  fall, 

We  forget  ourselves  a  moment, 
And  our  troubles  will  seem  small. 

We  have  many,  many  blessings; 

Let  us  try  to  find  them,  friend. 
Search  for  happiness,  not  sorrow; 

Many  troubles  will  then  end. 

109 


We  are  apt  to  see  but  storm-clouds, 
And  forget  the  sunshine  bright, 

But  the  clouds  will  sometime  vanish, 
Back  of  them  'tis  always  light. 

All  around  us  there  is  sorrow, 

But  a  ray  of  light  we  see 
Penetrating  all  life's  shadows; 

For  from  sunlight  shadows  flee. 

And  though  burdens  may  be  heavy, 
By  the  wayside  lay  them  down. 

Though  your  life  is  full  of  crosses, 
Drop  the  crosses,  raise  the  crown. 


110 


LIFE'S  WORK. 

There  is  some  work  for  every  one, 

And  we  our  part  must  do 
With  patient  hearts,  and  willing  hands, 

And  not  with  tears  bedew 

The  work  that  is  mapped  out  for  us; 

That  wrork  is  ours  alone, 
And  if  another  it  assumes 

We  must  for  it  atone. 

To  lay  our  burdens  on  our  friends 

Is  selfish,  I  avow, 
And  only  thoughtless,  heedless  souls, 

Are  willing  to  allow 

Their  friends  to  bear  their  cares,  and  griefs 

E'en  if  they're  willing  to. 
So  do  life's  work,  what  e'er  it  is, 

Then  naught  you'll  have  to  rue. 


Ill 


THE  IDEAL  HOME. 

If  we  have  faith,  we  e'en  can  move 

A  mountain  of  despair; 
Though  burdens  still  may  heavy  be, 

Our  troubles  we  can  bear. 

Twin  sister  of  sweet  Faith  is  Hope; 

If  Charity  is  guest, 
She  throws  a  mantle  over  all, 

'Tis  given  at  Love's  behest. 

The  world  is  better  where  they  dwell  — 
If  Peace  with  them  combines, 

It  makes  a  heaven  bright  on  earth; 
For  Peace  a  wreath  entwines 

Of  sweet  content  and  happiness 

In  this  ideal  home; 
Joy  gladly  then  will  come  to  us, 

No  longer  will  she  roam.— 

Then  Justice  comes,  so  stern  and  cold; 

Commanding  without  fear; 
If  we  obey  his  mandates  just 

They  ever  bring  good  cheer. 

112 


Another  sister  is  pure  Trust; 

She  ever  sees  the  good. 
She  knows  that  there  is  evil  though, 

But  o'er  it  does  not  brood. 

All  love  pure  Trust;  she  never  seeks 

To  injure  or  defame; 
(E'en  though  suspicion  rampant  is,) 

No  blot  is  on  her  name. 

Then  comes  to  home  unerring  Truth, 
With  courage  she  holds  sway. 

Deceit  will  tremble  at  her  glance, 
And  flee  the  light  of  day. 

This  ideal  home  is  Harmony, 
Bring  not  Contention  there; 

For  none  within  this  peaceful  home, 
Can  Discord  ever  bear. 

It  is  the  place  where  angels  dwell, 
And  naught  but  love  they  bring; 

In  home,  these  sweet  voiced  angels  slay- 
Grand  symphonies  they  sing. 


113 


SPEAK  TO  ME. 

O,  speak  to  me!      Though  but  one  word, 

For  I  so  long  to  know 
That  Death  is  Death,  but  in  the  name, 

And  is  a  friend,  not  foe. 

And  though  we  weep  at  loss  of  thee, 
We  would  not  keep  thee  here; 

The  loss  to  us  is  gain  to  thee, 
And  we  have  not  one  fear 

But  that  the  house  thou  mad'st  on  earth 

In  heav'n  will  fairer  be, 
For  thou  hast  builded  by  thy  love, 

Love  for  humanity. 

Oh,  that  thou  couldst  speak  but  one  word! 

(Before  thy  soul  takes  flight!) 
To  ease  my  heart  of  its  great  grief  — 

Thy  morning  is  my  night. 

Then  speak  to  me!      Life  will  be  drear, 
When  thou  hast  gone  away, — 

I  love  thee  so,  I'll  miss  thee  so  — 
Dark  will  be  even  day. 

114 


THE  HOUSE  BY  THE  ROADSIDE. 

I  live  in  a  house  by  the  road, 

The  road  that  has  many  sharp  turns. 

As  watching  the  people  pass  by, 
My  heart  for  humanity  yearns. 

How  many  are  happy  and  glad? 

How  many  are  hungry  and  cold? 
How  many  have  sin  in  their  hearts 

As  madly  they  struggle  for  gold? 

O,  if  we  but  knew  the  sad  thoughts 
That  lie  in  the  hearts  of  the  throng, 

As  wearily  walking  the  road:  — 

Perhaps  even  planning  some  wrong. 

How  little  they  know  how  they  build! 

Foundation  if  laid  in  the  sand 
Is  weak:  and  life's  structure  will  fall. 

The  Architect,  God,  doth  command 

That  man  should  e'er  build  while  on  earth 
The  home  that  he  lives  in  above : 

Foundation  on  Justice  be  laid  — 

His  home  must  be  furnished  with  love. 


115 


NATURE'S  SONGS. 

Nature  sings  to  us  sweet  love-songs  — 
We  should  try  to  understand 

The  clear  notes  in  Nature' s  song-book, 
And  her  anthems  ever  grand. 

Nature  sings  a  note  of  gladness, 
All  her  songs  seem  songs  of  glee. 

Then  she  sounds  a  note  of  sadness  — 
A  low  wail  in  minor  key. 

Listen  to  the  rain  drops  falling, 
And  the  moaning  of  the  sea, 

Or  the  rolling  of  the  thunder  — 
Seeming  strife,  is  symphony. 

Listen  to  the  flowers,  thanking 
The  warm  sunshine  that  gives  life 

To  the  leaves,  the  buds,  the  blossoms: 
Sometimes  though,  a  note  of  strife 

We  can  hear  in  Nature's  music; 

But  the  warfare  lasts  not  long. 
Sharps  are  needed  in  the  making 

Up  of  Nature's  loving  song. 

116 


TO  WILL,  IS  TO  DO. 

To  do,  is  but  the  will  to  do. 
Have  courage  ever  on  life's  way; 
Fight  all  life's  battles  howe'er  great  — 
Your  burdens  drop,  do  not  delay. 

Though  you  may  sometimes  seem  to  fail, 
'Tis  but  the  common  lot  of  all. 
Though  path  be  rugged,  strewn  with  thorns, 
Though  you  may  slip,  you  need  not  fall. 

Be  up  and  doing,  early,  late : 
No  other  one  can  do  your  work; 
It  is  mapped  out  for  you  alone, 
Your  duty  you  should  never  shirk. 

Success  attends  each  task  if  you 
But  bend  your  back  to  lift  your  load. 
Though  journey  may  be  long  and  rough, 
You  must  not  falter  on  life's  road. 

Your  cross  may  seem  too  hard  to  bear; 
Sometimes  you  fall  beneath  its  weight; 
Arise,  and  take  it  up  again, — 
Success  stands  smiling  at  your  gate. 


117 


A  MEMORY  OF  MAINE. 

I'm  carried  back  to  dear  old  Maine, 
Again  I  drink  of  life's  rich  wine, 
Amid  the  fragrant,  spicy  woods 
Of  spruce  and  hemlock,  fir  and  pine. 

I  dance  along  the  country  road, 
No  grief,  no  pain,  no  sorrow  mine, 
I  pluck  sweet  flowers  by  the  way, 
Inhale  the  fragrance  of  the  pine. 

The  years,  like  shadows  come  and  go, 
Like  sentinels  they  pass  in  line  — 
But  mem'ry  still  doth  hold  in  view 
The  woods  of  hemlock,  fir  and  pine. 

The  friends  I  loved  have  passed  away, 
But  in  my  heart  I  still  enshrine 
The  mem'ries  dear  of  happy  youth, 
Made  dearer  by  the  fragrant  pine. 

My  loved  ones  have  a  fairer  home, 
The  gain  is  theirs,  the  loss  is  mine. 
The  fragrant  winds  blow  o'er  their  graves 
The  sun  doth  ever  on  them  shine. 

118 


At  loss  of  friends  I  ever  grieve  — 
Sweet  mem'ries  linger  at  Love's  shrine; 
I  ne'er  forget  my  childhood's  home, 
Nor  subtle  fragrance  of  the  pine. 


119 


SOME  DAY. 

Some  day  we  may  know  life's  meaning 
Some  day  we  may  understand 

All  the  problems  that  surround  us, 
That  we  meet  on  every  hand. 

And  that  day  is  drawing  nearer; 

It  is  just  across  the  way, 
And  today  it  may  confront  us, 

Shadowed  by  dead  yesterday. 

Ghosts  of  the  dead  past  may  haunt  us; 

Shadows  of  some  vain  regret. 
But  the  past  is  gone  forever, 

And  that  past  let  us  forget. 

Some  day  Hope  may  to  us  beckon, 
We  have  waited  for  her  long; 

For  her  coming,  for  her  greeting; 
For  her  sweet  and  happy  song. 

Some  day  in  the  coming  future 
We  shall  close  our  eyes  in  sleep; 

And  on  earth  no  more  shall  waken; 
We  have  solved  life's  problem  deep. 

120 


When  the  book  of  life  is  opened, 
We  shall  read  our  record  there. 

Is  there  ought  within  its  covers 
That  will  not  inspection  bear? 

Is  there  aught  upon  Life's  journal 
That  we  gladly  would  erase? 

Some  day  we  must  balance  ledger,  — 
Is  there  aught  we  would  efface? 

Turn  the  pages,  weep  not  o'er  them, 
For  we  did  the  best  we  knew; 

There's  another  life  before  us — 
And  the  past  we  need  not  rue. 

In  the  grave  of  earth  we'll  bury 
Every  deed,  both  good  and  bad, 

Plant  upon  it  Love's  sweet  roses — 
It  is  useless  to  be  sad. 


121 


SILENCE. 

How  sweet  to  us  is  silence 

When  heart  is  filled  with  grief? 

We  are  at  peace  one  moment, — 
In  silence  find  relief. 

Our  loved  ones  have  departed, 
Are  free  from  care  and  woe; 

We  know  that  they  are  happy, 
But  O,  we  miss  them  so! 

We  know  that  we  shall  meet  them 
Upon  the  heavenly  shore. 

With  them  will  be  united 

Where  partings  are  no  more. 

But  far  away  seems  heaven — 
Eor  though  our  loved  ones  dwell 

In  peace  across  the  border, 
We  ne'er  forget  the  knell 

Of  death  when  its  dark  shadow 
Has  settled  in  our  heart; 

When  friends  are  taken  from  us, 
And  we  are  forced  to  part. 

122 


The  world  seems  dark  and  dreary, 

We  are  so  lonely  now, 
We  miss  our  loved  ones  ever, 

But  to  God's  will  we  bow. 

Our  years  are  few  and  fleeting, 
And  pass  e'en  as  a  dream, 

But  morning  light  is  breaking, 
We  catch  a  heavenly  gleam 

Of  light  celestial,  dawning, 

A  breaking  of  the  day 
When  sorrow  has  departed :  — 

But  shadows  seem  to  stay 

And  tinge  our  days  with  sadness, 
And  all  our  nights  with  gloom, 

Our  lives  seem  filled  with  sorrow 
From  cradle  to  the  tomb. 

But  there's  a  bright  hereafter, 
God  lightens  every  grief  — 

Helps  us  to  bear  our  burdens  — 
In  Him  we  find  relief. 


123 


MORNING. 

Now  the  morning  light  is  breaking, 
And  the  clouds  have  cleared  away. 

I  will  give  up  all  complaining, 

There's  a  bright,  though  narrow  way. 

I  am  now  on  Hope's  bright  mountain; 

Though  the  valley  may  be  drear, 
There  is  sunshine  all  around  me, 

And  it  fills  my  heart  with  cheer. 

I  now  dwell  in  Love's  own  kingdom, 
And  am  sitting  on  his  throne. 

There  hath  come  a  benediction, 
All  unhappiness  hath  flown. 

I  can  see  the  bow  of  promise, 
It  doth  span  the  morning  sky. 

All  the  clouds  have  silver  linings; 
In  my  soul  sweet  peace  doth  lie. 

I  will  grasp  the  sunshine  ever, 
Hold  not  shadows  in  my  heart, 

Sunshine  bright  to  me  is  given  — 
It  is  of  my  life  a  part. 

124 


Morning  stars  are  ever  singing 
Love-songs  to  the  god  of  day. 

Thirsty  flowers  are  drinking  dew-drops 
That  God  scatters  by  their  way. 

Ears  attuned  to  Nature's  music, 
Hear  the  still,  small  voice  of  God, 

Speaking  to  His  children  ever, 
Even  from  beneath  the  sod. 

Nature's  forces  singing  anthems 
To  the  power  that  gave  them  birth. 

Hallelujahs  e'er  ascending 

To  the  heaven  from  out  the  earth. 


125 


RETROSPECTION. 

We're  living  in  the  dead,  dead  past, 
When  we  should  live  the  now. 

The  past  can  never  be  recalled, 
We  should  not  to  it  bow. 

The  future  we  may  never  see, 
Then  why  with  clouds  o'ercast 

The  present,  which  is  all  we  have, 
And  life  is  ebbing  fast? 

Why  think  of  what  we  might  have  done? 

For  if  we  could  recall 
One  single  hour,  we'd  do  the  same; 

For  o'er  our  past  hangs  pall 

That  we  have  made  by  our  mistakes. 

The  past  is  past,  and  dead. 
Let  not  its  ghost  then  haunt  us  now; 

By  phantoms  be  not  led. 

Then  bury  now  the  dead,  dead  past. 

And  bury  it  so  deep 
That  flowers  will  grow  upon  its  grave, — 

O'er  it  no  longer  weep. 

126 


LOVE'S  CHAMBER. 

There  is  an  inner  chamber 
Within  the  heart  of  man, 

Where  no  one  ever  enters, 
And  no  one  ever  can. 

'Tis  filled  with  joys  and  sorrows 
Of  th'  dear  and  sacred  past. 

The  pleasures  may  be  fleeting, 
But  sorrows  ever  last. 

The  room  is  locked  and  bolted  - 
'Tis  filled  with  shadows  aye, 

But  often  'mid  its  shadows 
My  soul  doth  try  to  pray. 

Though  Love  is  ever  welcome 
Within  the  chamber  small; 

Alas!    he  sometimes  wanders 
Beyond,  beyond  recall. 

His  vows  may  be  forgotten, 
And  he  may  go  astray ; 

But  if  he  is  repentant, 
Again  Love' s  laws  obey 

127 


He  sometimes  is  forgiven, 
Unlocks  Love's  sacred  door, 

But  though  again  he  enters, 
'Tis  never  as  before. 


128 


WHAT  DOTH  THE  FUTURE  HOLD 
FOR  US  ? 

As  looking  o'er  the  long,  long  past 

I  fain  would  let  it  go ; 
Though  some  of  it  is  filled  with  joy, 

There's  much  in  it  of  woe. 

There's  much  that  I  would  now  forget; 

Alas!      It  cannot  be, 
For  we  can  never  quite  forget 

Through  all  eternity. 

What  does  the  future  hold  for  us? 

'Tis  well  we  do  not  know. 
We'll  live  today  the  best  we  can, 

For  it  is  better  so. 

To  us,  tomorrow  may  not  come ; 

Then  let  us  grasp  the  truth, 
And  do  each  duty  in  the  now. 

Today  is  all  of  youth  — 

Tomorrow  is  a  phantom  dark  — 

It  haunts  us  in  our  dreams. 
A  nightmare,  robbing  us  of  sleep 

With  viciousness  it  teems. 


129 


LIFE'S  TIDE. 

Upon  the  tide  now  coming  in 
We  see  a  board,  a  broken  mast: 
A  shattered  sail,  and  tangled  ropes 
Are  by  the  angry  waves  now  cast 

Upon  the  shore:    They  tell  a  tale 
Of  loss  of  life,  of  suffering  deep, 
Of  stranded  hopes  on  unknown  sea  — 
Of  those  now  left  alone  to  weep. 

The  tide  comes  in,  the  tide  goes  out, 

We  know  not  whence,  we  know  not  where; 

And  so  it  is  with  our  short  lives, 

Life's  tattered  sails  we  all  must  bear. 

The  broken  masts,  and  tangled  ropes 
Erom  our  life's  ship  are  ever  swept. 
We  know  not  whence  we  came,  nor  go; 
Alas!      Life's  log  we  have  not  kept. 

Life's  ship  must  sink,   Alas!    Alas! 
Our  compass  and  our  glass  is  lost. 
By  demons  we  seem  guided  now, 

On  reefs,  or  shoals  we're  ever  tossed. 


130 


We're  sailing  on  an  unknown  sea, 
Or  stranded  on  some  unknown  shore. 
By  baffling  winds  and  hidden  shoals 
Life's  ship  seems  lost  for  evermore. 


We  see  the  beacon  light  of  truth  — 
God  hears  our  call  and  answers  cry. 
He  sends  a  pilot  to  our  aid, 
We'll  evermore  on  him  rely. 

And  though  our  life  ship  stranded  is; 
And  life  seems  but  a  wreck  of  hopes, 
Of  tattered  sails  and  broken  masts, 
We  find  our  log  'mid  tangled  ropes. 


131 


LOVE'S  ASHES. 

The  last  bright  rays  of  setting  sun 

Are  ling' ring  in  the  sky. 
The  dead,  dead  ashes  of  Love's  rose 

Upon  the  earth  now  lie. 

The  withered  petals  of  a  flower 

Is  all  that's  left  for  me; 
Dry  ashes  of  a  dead,  dead  love 

Is  all  that  I  now  see. 

And  fallen  is  the  fruit  of  life, 
'Tis  sapless,  withered,  dead  — 

Like  ashes  of  a  fire  burned  out  — 
The  hearth-stone  now  its  bed. 

Will  aught  awaken  Love  again? 

Ah,  no!      When  love  is  dead 
He  resurrected  ne'er  can  be, 

We,  only  tears  can  shed. — 

Our  withered  hopes  are  all  that's  left, 

In  ashes  buried  deep. 
There's  naught  but  ashes  on  Love's  grave, 

Where  we  now  sit  and  weep. 

132 


And  mem'ry  now  is  all  that's  left 

To  haunt  our  life  alway; 
'Tis  ashes  of  a  fire  burned  out  — 

'Twas  born  but  to  decay. 

O,  Love!      Why  didst  thou  flatter  me 

With  promises  divine? 
'Twere  better  hadst  thou  passed  me  by, 

Than  desecrate  Love's  shrine! 

'Twere  better  hadst  thou  died  at  birth 

If  born  but  to  decay. 
A  weakling  at  the  very  dawn  — 

Dark  shadows  with  thee  lay. 

Then  fare  thee  well!      O,  Love,  farewell! 

Thou  leav'st  a  broken  heart  — 
For  burned  to  ashes  now  is  life 

Since  I  from  thee  must  part. 


Ah,  no!      I  will  not  say  farewell! 

Love's  home  is  in  my  heart! 
He  reigns  supreme  within  my  soul, 

And  is  of  life  chief  part. 

133 


LIFE'S  GARDEN. 

Life  is  a  most  beautiful  garden, 
Though  often  its  beauty  we  hide, 

Allowing  rank  weeds  most  unsightly 
Within  its  sweet  limits  to  bide. 

O,  sow  then  the  seeds  of  right  living  — 
Illumine  the  depths  of  your  soul. 

Though  poisonous  weeds  may  be  growing — 
O'er  them  you  can  have  full  control. 

Though  weeds  in  life's  garden  are  growing, 
And  often  is  seen  there  the  rue; 

O,  plant  in  its  place  sweetest  roses, 
And  Love  will  plant  roses  for  you. 

O,  cultivate  ever  the  flowers 

That  in  your  life's  garden  once  grew: 
Again  they  will  thrive  by  your  nursing, 

Will  soon  again  blossom  for  you. 

No  rose  in  your  garden  is  thornless, 

And  thorns  you  will  find  in  your  life. — 

By  bearing  your  troubles  with  patience 
Sweet  peace  will  come  into  your  life. 


134 


DEAD  LEAVES. 

To  the  earth  dead  leaves  are  falling, 
On  the  trees  are  withered  leaves. 

So  in  life  if  hope  hath  left  us, 

Naught  remains  but  sapless  leaves. 

Yet  perchance  some  flower  may  blossom 
'Mong  the  dry  and  withered  leaves; 

Drawing  warmth  from  the  bright  sunshine; 
Thus  the  Eather  gathers  sheaves 

That  are  nourished  by  our  love-deeds, 
They  will  bloom  in  heavenly  bowers. 

From  the  pure  in  heart,  e'er  pointing 
To  the  bright  and  heavenly  flowers. 

And  on  earth  no  spot  so  arid 

But  some  flower  will  bloom  thereon; 

And  no  life  (however  sinful) 
But  some  victory  hath  won 

Over  sin  and  degradation, 

Some  pure  thought  doth  hold  with  love, 
And  that  thought  will  live  forever, 

Pure  on  earth,  and  pure  above. 

135 


SHADOWS. 

There  is  a  road  from  youth  to  age; 

Though  often  on  the  way 
Are  thorns,  and  brambles,  poisonous  weeds, 

And  shadows  there  alway. 

We  start  in  youth  upon  this  road; 

Then  all  is  bright  and  fair. 
When  hope  is  strong  within  the  heart  — 

No  cross  is  hard  to  bear. 

The  noon-day  comes,  and  we  begin 

To  worry  and  to  fret. 
For  hope  is  now  less  strong  in  heart 

And  we  can  ne'er  forget 

That  age  is  coming  on  apace, 

T  hat  shadows  longer  grow, 
That  crosses  e'er  grow  heavier. — 

No  more  we  see  the  bow 

Of  promise,  in  the  evening  sky, 

And  darkness  comes  apace, 
But  age  will  bring  its  recompense 

If  we  keep  up  the  race. 

136 


And  e'en  though  there  are  shadows  dark, 

And  clouds  are  in  life's  sky, 
We  know  that  we  can  bear  our  cross 

E'en  though  for  it  we  die. 


137 


OTHER'S  BURDENS  ARE  LIGHT. 

For  us,  it  is  so  easy 

When  brother  carries  load, 

Though  he  may  often  stumble 
Upon  the  uphill  road. 

We  do  not  feel  the  heartache 
When  some  one  else  is  spurned; 

We  think  'tis  retribution, 

That  he  the  pain  has  earned. 

We  say  we  are  so  sorry 

When  some  one  else  is  burned; 
The  smart  to  us  is  painless, 

And  lesson  he  has  learned. 

The  crosses  are  not  heavy 

That  brother  has  to  bear. 
The  mountains  are  but  hillocks 

O'er  which  he  has  to  fare. 

No  briars  in  his  pathway, 
No  thorns  obstruct  his  way, 

The  road  is  straight  and  narrow, 
From  it  he  need  not  stray. 

138 


The  troubles  of  our  neighbors 

Are  very,  very  light: 
With  us  it  is  quite  different  — 

A  shadow  makes  dark  night. 


139 


NATURE'S  GOD. 

Dear  mother  Nature,  we  would  be 
In  perfect  harmony  with  thee. 
Would  feel  that  we  are  but  a  part 
Of  thy  full  life,  of  thy  great  heart. 

We  know  that  if  we  follow  thee, 
From  error  we  shall  e'er  be  free; 
Sometimes  thy  forces  may  us  awe, 
And  yet  we  know  they  are  thy  law. 

Though  oftimes  thou  may'st  angry  seem, 
And  thy  fair  face  with  fury  gleam; 
We  know  there  is  a  power  above 
That  quells  thy  rage  with  words  of  love. 

Though  winter's  storms  and  frosts  may  kill  — 
Sweet  Springtime  whispers,  * 'Peace,  be  still" 
Then  flowers  spring  up  from  'neath  the  sod, 
Obeying  the  command  of  God. 

And  God  in  nature  we  can  trust; 
His  laws  are  perfect,  therefore  just. 
Our  trust  is  firm,  we  will  not  fear, 
God's  voice  in  nature  we  can  hear. 


140 


The  storms  may  come,  the  winds  may  blow, 
We  have  no  fear,  for  we  do  know 
That  "bow  of  promise"  in  the  sky 
Will  span  the  arch  of  Bye  and  Bye. 


141 


To  the  "Father  of  His  Country,"  Strong  — 
He  Knew  No  Evil,  Did  No  Wrong. 

To  thee,  revered  Washington 
I  dedicate  my  simple  song: 
Unworthy  though  the  verses  be, 
My  love  for  thee  is  deep  and  strong. 

Though  generations  pass  away, 
Forgotten,  thou  wilt  never  be; 
In  this,  the  home  of  true,  brave  men : 
This  glorious  land  of  liberty. 

And  sacred  seems  to  be  thy  name 
In  every  home,  in  every  heart. 
Por  thou  wast  ever  honest,  true, 
And  in  this  world  did  well  thy  part. 

Thy  statesmanship  above  reproach; 
Self  held  no  part  In  thy  command. 
Thy  rule  was  marked  with  wisdom  rare, 
With  loving  words  and  gentle  hand. 

The  years  have  come,  the  years  have  gone, 
But  in  all  hearts  thou  art  still  dear. 
A  hero  thou,  upright  and  brave, 
Who  did  each  duty  without  fear. 

142 


My  song  will  be  forgotten  soon, 
But  thou  wilt  e'er  remembered  be. 
The  impress  of  thy  life  be  felt 
Through  time,  and  in  eternity. 


143 


MIRAGE. 

All  life  is  a  mirage, 
More  often  sad  than  gay: 
One  moment,  picture  seen, 
And  then  it  fades  away. 

Would  we  one  picture  hold, 
And  gaze  at  it  again  ? 
Or  cast  it  to  the  winds, 
Far,  far  beyond  our  ken. 

Life  is  a  dull  mirage : 
Unstable  as  the  wind. 
Subconsciousness  doth  cause 
Illusions  of  the  mind. 

Hereafter  we  shall  see 
A  picture  bright,  sublime : 
The  Master  painted  it  — 
'Twill  fade  not  in  all  time. 

'Tis  painted  on  the  heart, 
'Tis  pictured  on  the  brain. 
Mirage  though  it  may  seem 
In  soul  it  long  hath  lain. 

144 


WAITING. 

I  am  waiting,  only  waiting 
For  the  clouds  so  clear  away. 

I  am  waiting  for  the  sunshine, 
Waiting  for  the  break  of  day. 

There  is  naught  but  dark,  dark  shadows, 

And  they  ever  longer  grow. 
I  am  weary,  O,  so  weary! 

Will  the  shadows  never  go? 

Oh,  the  darkness  is  appalling! 

And  the  world  seems  filled  with  grief. 
Can  I  ever  grasp  life's  sunshine? 

Can  I  ever  find  relief? 

I  am  waiting  for  Love's  music: 

I  have  waited,  O,  so  long! 
All  the  melody  is  lacking, 

There  is  discord  in  Love's  song! 

On  my  heart  is  weight  so  heavy, 

As  of  some  impending  ill, 
And  I  cannot  rise  above  it, 

For  it  seems  my  soul  to  fill. 

145 


I  am  lonely,  O,  so  lonely! 

I  would  fain  give  up  life's  fight,- 
Is  there  no  surcease  from  sorrow? 

Must  I  struggle  day  and  night? 


146 


THE  INEVITABLE. 

We  are  .of  little  consequence; 

Though  we  may  think  the  world 
Would  darker  be  at  our  demise, 

To  unknown  depths  be  hurled. 

The  world  goes  ever  on  the  same, 
The  sun  will  shine,  rain  fall  — 

The  harvest  ripen,  flowers  bloom ; 
On  home  will  rest  no  pall. 

Though  friends  forget  us  in  a  day, 

It  is  far  better  so; 
Why  should  they  ever  mourn  and  weep? 

Their  hearts  be  filled  with  woe? 

Though  it  may  sadden  us  to  think 

That  home  will  be  complete, 
When  we  have  passed  from  'neath  its  roof, 

And  we  not  there  to  greet 
Their  coming  in,  their  going  out, 

Our  name  not  heard  in  prayer, 
But  we  should  even  happ\  be 

To  know  that  peace  is  there. 


147 


In  every  home,  at  every  hearth, 

*  There  is  a  vacant  chair. ' ' 
It  is  far  better  friends  forget: 
Resigned  their  griefs  to  bear. 

For  if  the  world  was  filled  with  tears 

Life's  sun  obscured  would  be, 
And  naught  but  clouds  and  misery, 

Throughout  eternity. 

Though  friends  have  gone  beyond  our  ken, 

A  moment  to  us  lost; 
Again  we  see  them,  deified  — 

Then  not  by  doubts  be  tossed. 


148 


FOR  A  GOLDEN  WEDDING. 

A  string  of  golden  years  — 

A  rosary  of  love; 
To  us  these  years  have  been 

A  gift  from  God  above. 

Each  year  has  been  a  chime, 

A  symphony,  a  song 
Intoned  by  angel  choir; 

A  happy  heavenly  throng. 

We  bless  the  tie  that  binds 
Our  loving  hearts  on  earth ; 

When  loosed  this  tie  by  death, 
'Tis  joined  by  heaven's  rebirth. 

These  years,  like  golden  bells 
Upon  love's  chain  are  strung. 

All  sweet  the  bonds  have  been, 
No  discord  e'er  has  flung 

Its  pall  upon  our  home, 
No  blight  upon  our  hearth. 

Sweet  Peace  has  been  our  guest, 
And  lingered  on  our  path. 

149 


Now  ring  out  marriage  bells! 

All  sorrow  cast  aside, 
And  joyful  be  the  strains 

While  we  together  bide. 

Sound  the  timbrel,  strike  the  chord, 
Sweet  psalms  of  praise  we  sing: 

A  melody  of  joyful  notes 
Upon  these  bells  we'll  ring! 


150 


WRITTEN    FOR   MY  FRIEND'S  GOLDEN 
WEDDING. 

Your  "Golden  Wedding!"      Ah!    how  few 

Can  celebrate  the  happy  day! 
Though  fifty  years  have  come  and  gone, 

I  know  that  Love  doth  with  you  stay. 

Your  lives  have  been  a  symphony, 
With  scarce  a  grief,  or  sad  refrain; 

It  e'er  hath  been  with  blessings  filled, 
And  few  the  burdens  on  you  lain. 

May  you  still  have  all  peace  and  joy, 
Sweet  mem'ries  of  past  happy  years. 

I  pray  that  Life's  bright  golden  bowl 
Be  never  stained  by  Sorrow's  tears. 


151 


FLOWERS  MAY  HAVE  SOULS. 

O  take  this  pansy  blossom, 

And  look  into  its  face, 
Canst  thou  not  sense  divinity? 

Canst  thon  not  see  a  trace 
Of  soul  within  its  calyx? 

Of  love  within  its  heart  — 
It  e'en  may  have  a  language, 

And  can  its  love  impart. 

And  pain  it  too  may  suffer 

When  plucked  by  ruthless  hand: 
And  it  may  be  unhappy, 

And  even  understand 
The  power  within  its  petals, 

The  power  within  its  soul; 
The  hope  that  God  hath  given, 

Which  doth  its  life  control. 


152 


THE  WONDER  ELOWER. 

My  garden  has  a  wonder  flower: 

It  grows  beside  the  walk. 
I  often  hear  low  whisperings: 

It  seems  to  laugh  and  talk. 

I  thought  I  heard  these  words  one  day 
11  My  home  was  in  the  earth: 

I  asked  the  Father  for  more  light, 
And  then  I  had  new  birth.' ' 

"  I  then  began  to  see  the  flowers, 

And  hear  the  robins  sing 
More  beautiful  seems  now  the  world; 

Each  day  new  pleasures  bring." 

"  Some  day  I  shall  return  to  earth, 
Eor  change  is  e'er  the  law. 

Not  even  Wonder  flowers  can  bring, 
To  Nature,  the  least  flaw." 


153 


LOVE'S  FLOWER  GARDEN. 

Love  made  himself  a  garden, 
But  Love,  you  know,  is  blind; 

In  dreams  were  thornless  Roses 

With      Smilax"  round  them  twined. 

He  planted  Gladiolus, 

In  place  came  up  the  rue; 
Instead  of   "Honeysuckles", 

The  bitter  "Wormwood"  grew. 

He  had  the  "  Easter  Lily", 

And  sought  her  heart  to  win, — 

There  was  the  "  Breath  of  Heaven  "  ; 
But  soon  dark  sin  crept  in. 

By  paying  court  to  many, 

"  Love-in-a-Mist "  he  saw  — 

The  "Passion  Flower"  soon  faded, 
In  it  he  found  a  flaw. 

Love  thought  he  planted  "  Heartsease", 
But      Tansy  "  grew  instead. 

At  last  Love's  eyes  were  opened  — 
Fair  "Marguerite"  he  wed. 

154 


''But  "Whispering  Bell"  then  whispered 

That  Love,  no  longer  blind, 
Was  much  too  fond  of  flirting: 

New  loves  e'er  sought  to  find. 

She  said  that  "  Summer's  Darling" 

Was  using  all  her  wiles 
To  win  Love  to  her  arbor, 

Enticing  him  by  smiles. 

And  also  "Sweet  Alyssum  " 

Was  seeking  to  entice 
Love  from  his  wedded  darling: 

But  he  was  cold  as  ice. 

Though  Love  was  false  to  many, 

To  "Marguerite"  was  true; 
But  Love,  so  often  fickle, 

May  sometimes  sip  the  "Yew". 

In  garden  bloomed  the  "  Sunshine" 
And  "  Daisy"  too,  was  there; 

"  Sweet  William"  as  companion, 
Their  burdens  helped  to  bear. 


155 


Love  gave  a  "Princess  Feather" 

To  his  fair  "Marguerite  ", 
With  "Violets"  and  "Tulips", 

Her  lover  she  did  greet. 

Then  came  sweet  "  Baby  Blue  Eyes  ", 

Love's  gift  to  his  fair  bride. 
In  Love's  bright,  fragrant  garden 

They  all  now  dwelt  in  pride. 

Then  came  to  Love  great  riches: 
He  first  found  "  Marigold  "  ; 

Then  "  Golden  Rod"  came  to  him, 
She  brought  him  wealth  untold. 

Then  came  bright  "Silver  Maple", 
Where  once  dwelt  "  Poverty  Weed  ". 

And  "  Bread  P>uit"  was  abundant  — 
No  more  for  wealth  Love  pleads. 

Then  "  Black-Eyed  Susan",  angered 

At  Love,  and  all  his  flowers, 
Made  friends  with  fierce  "Snap  Dragon' 

Who  dwelt  in  "  Spikenard's  bowers.  " 


156 


LOVE'S  GARDEN. 

In  Love's  garden  flowers  are  growing, 
Seeds  of  discord  are  not  there; 

But  in  it  are  thornless  roses, 

And  Love's  blossoms  everywhere. 

Though  you  pluck  the  flowers  daily, 
Love's  sweet  blossoms  ne'er  grow  less. 

Love  imparting,  Love  begetting, 
True  Love  ever  comes  to  bless. 

Love  doth  cover  up  rough  places, 
Love  doth  sing  a  joyous  song. 

Doth  forgive,  and  is  forgiving, 

Even  though  Love  is  in  the  wrong. 

True  Love's  roses  are  unfading, 
True  Love's  roses  never  die; 

Nor  do  they  e'er  lose  their  fragrance, 
Though  in  shadow  they  may  lie. 

Love  in  palace  is  no  stronger 

Than  it  is  at  the  small  gate 
Of  the  peasant's  humble  cottage, 

Faithful  to  her  trusting  mate. 

157 


"NO  MAN  KNOWETH  GOD." 

O,  what  art  Thou,  and  where  art  Thou? 
My  struggling  soul  asks  this  of  Thee! 
Whence  earnest  Thou,  O,  Lord  of  Hosts? 
I  long  to  solve  this  mystery  — 
Help  me,  O,  Father  God! 

In  the  beginning,  Lord,  Thou  wast, 
And  at  the  end  Thou  still  wilt  be. 
Give  me  the  knowledge  that  I  crave! 
From  error  I  would  now  be  free. 
1  claim  this  boon  of  Thee! 

Was  man  created  from  the  dust? 
To  dust  will  he  again  return? 
Is  there  a  future  for  his  soul? 
To  solve  this  question  I  e'er  yearn  — 
Will  it  be  e'er  revealed? 

What  use  is  birth,  if  soul  must  die? 
We  have  no  power  o'er  life  nor  death; 
We're  like  the  leaves  that  fall  to  earth, 
Blown  here  and  there  by  every  breath 
Of  adverse  wind  and  storm. 


158 


We  seek  in  vain  to  know  thee.  Lord. 
And  yet  our  soul  believes  in  Thee; 
Believes  in  Thy  Omnipotence  — 
Believes  in  immortality. 

Then  why  do  we  ask  more? 


159 


LIFE'S  BATTLES. 

E'en  though  all  the  drear  past  was  a  failure, 
And  the  future  holds  nothing  for  me, 

I  will  live  in  the  present  so  fearless, 
I  shall  gain  a  great  victory. 

So  well  guarded  will  be  all  my  present, 
The  hereafter  will  hold  no  regret; 

And  most  faithfully  now  will  I  labor, 
And  will  try  my  past  griefs  to  forget. 

I  may  build,  and  may  plan  for  the  future, 
But  the  plans  will  aye  fall  to  the  ground, 

And  a  grave  will  be  made  of  my  failures, 
Every  plan  will  but  add  to  the  mound. 

Let  me  gird  on  my  armor,  and  battle 

For  the  good,  and  the  pure,  and  the  right; 

Then  the  God  that  is  part  of  my  being 
Will  e'er  help  me  Life's  battles  to  fight. 


160 


WRITTEN  FOR  A  FRIEND  ON  HER 
EIGHTY-SEVENTH  BIRTHDAY. 

I'll  ne'er  forget  my  dear  old  friends, 

Though  I  may  love  the  new. 
There  is  a  nook  deep  in  my  heart 

Kept  sacred  for  the  few 

Old  friends  I  treasured  long  ago; 

My  love  hath  ne'er  grown  cold. 
I'm  glad  to  make  new  loves  each  day, 

Though  I  still  cling  to  old. 

How  long  I've  known  thee,  dear  old  friend, 

I  would  not  like  to  say. 
Though  thou  hast  lived  four  score  and  seven, 

Thou  look'st  as  young  today 

As  in  the  time  of  long  ago; 

Thou  wilt  keep  young  for  aye ; 
For  youth  is  deep  within  thy  heart 

And  will  be  there  alway. 


161 


One  reason  why  thou  keep'st  thy  youth 
Thou  hast  no  evil  wrought; 

No  malice  is  within  thy  heart, 
And  pure  thy  every  thought. 

And  thou  hast  found  the  fountain  of 

Perpetual  youth,  I  know, 
For  every  year,  and  every  day 

Thou  seem'st  to  younger  grow. 

This  is  a  tribute  of  my  heart, 

And  all  must  feel  with  me, 
That  thou  wilt  ever  keep  thy  youth 

Throughout  eternity. 


162 


BIRTHDAY  VERSES. 

Another  pearl  is  added 

To  thy  pure  crown  of  years. 
May  each  new  pearl  God  giveth, 

Ne'er  tarnished  be  by  tears. 


Thy  years  are  "Jewels"  in  life's  crown, 

They  must  not  tarnished  be 
By  envy,  malice,  unkind  thoughts; 

But  keep  their  purity 
Through  coming  years  that  may  be  thine  - 

Though  filled  with  grief  or  joy, 
Each  day  must  help  to  brighten  gems, 

Thy  life  free  from  alloy. 

***** 

Another  year  begins  today; 

Examine  all  past  years, 
If  they  are  dimmed  by  vain  regrets 

That  cause  you  bitter  tears, 
Begin  at  once  to  clean  life's  book, 

The  future  spotless  be; 
Think  not  that  time  is  past,  and  gone, 

Thou  hast  eternity. 

***** 

163 


BIRTHDAY  VERSES. 

We're  prone  today  to  count  past  years, 

There's  much  we  may  regret, 
But  years  once  gone  come  not  again : 

Mistakes  try  to  forget. 
Begin  today  life's  years  anew, 

The  past  is  but  a  dream. 
Tomorrow  may  not  come  to  you, 

Then  make  today  supreme. 


Each  year  brings  thee  nearer  to  heaven; 

For  thou  hast  made  heaven  on  earth, 
By  loving  and  helping  thy  neighbor, 

And  heaven  is  only  re-birth. 
To  thee  'twill  be  but  awaking 

To  other  conditions  of  love; 
And  love  will  be  stronger  than  ever 

In  home  thou  hast  builded  above. 
Yes!    Builded  while  here  in  thy  earth-life; 

Each  thought  helps  to  furnish  that  home. 
Thou  canst  have  no  fear  for  the  future 

With  love  thou  hast  furnished  thy  home. 


164 


A  BIRTHDAY  OFFERING. 

Accept  this  offering  though  'tis  small; 

'Tis  birthday  gift  from  me. 
Oh,  may  thy  years  be  full  of  joy, 

No  sorrow  come  to  thee! 

Unless  a  gift  comes  from  the  heart 

It  hath  no  value  e'er; 
We  do  not  prize  it  for  its  cost  — 

But  for  its  loving  cheer. 

O,  grasp  life's  blessings  as  they  come, 
They  will  not  wait  by  way, 

And  do  not  bury  them  in  gloom 
In  grave  of  yesterday. 

If  blessing  comes  to  thee  today, 

'Tis  only  thine  today, 
Tomorrow  is  the  ghost  of  Hope 

Entombed  in  yesterday. 


165 


''EVERY  MAN  IS  A  LAW  UNTO 
HIMSELF." 

Somehow  we  but  rarely  know 
Just  the  thing  we  ought  to  do; 
And  we  do  what  we  should  not 
So,  perforce,  we  often  rue 

Many  things  that  we  have  done; 
Many  things  that  we  have  said; 
Bringing  trouble  into  life; 
Our  mistakes  have  often  led 

Us  to  many  ills  in  life, 
Causing  bitter,  bitter  tears; 
Wrecking  all  our  dearest  hopes 
For  the  past,  or  future  years. 

Though  we  vainly  call  for  help, 
Good,  or  ill,  by  self  is  wrought. 
Watching  over  every  deed, 
Watching  over  every  thought. 

c< Thoughts  are  things"  —  was  truly  said; 
Thinking  right  is  doing  right; 
Thought  is  parent  of  each  act, 
Bringing  joy,  or  causing  blight. 

166 


CHRISTMAS  VERSES. 

Today  I  send  thee  Chrismas  Greetings; 
May  Love  and  Peace  thy  home  e'er  fill; 
And  every  day  bring  greater  blessing; 
And  strength  to  climb  life's  highest  hill. 
***** 

May  Christmas  joys  be  thine  today, 
And  peace  through  all  the  year. 

May  Love  illumine  thy  face  with  smiles; 
In  eyes  be  not  one  tear. 

***** 

This  Christmas  Greeting  I  send  you  — 
May  Christmas  last  the  whole  year  through, 
In  bringing  peace  and  joy. 

May  every  wish  of  yours  come  true, 
And  never  friend  prove  false  to  you  — 
What  better  can  I  wish  ? 

***** 

May  peace  be  yours  the  coming  year. 
Not  one  regret  and  not  one  tear. 
***** 

May  Christmas  joys  be  thine  today, 
With  loving  friends  upon  life's  way. 


167 


CHRISTMAS  VERSES. 

That  Christmas  joys  be  ever  thine, 
Thy  soul  e'er  filled  with  love  divine, 
Is  my  true  wish  for  thee. 

That  friends  may  prove  true  unto  thee": 
From  envious  malice  ever  free, 
Fulfilled  be  every  hope. 

At  last  when  Death  shall  call  thee  hence, 
Thou  shalt  receive  full  recompense 
For  all  the  good  thou'st  wrought. 


Today  I  send  to  thee  a  message : 
'Tis  filled  with  the  love  of  my  heart. 
I  pray  that  not  even  one  shadow 
Shall  be  of  thy  life  e'en  a  part. 


This  Christmas  Greeting  I  send  thee, 
From  care  and  grief  may'st  thou  be  free, 
May  Christmas  joys  e'er  flood  thy  heart, 
And  be  of  life  the  greater  part. 

168 


CHRISTMAS  VERSES. 

I  wish  you  a  "  Merrie  Christmas",  dear, 

With  not  one  sign  of  woe; 
And  all  the  love  that  you'll  accept 

On  you  I  will  bestow. 

***** 

"A  Happy  New  Year"  for  you  both, 
With  health  and  peace,  good  cheer. 

May  all  your  hopes  be  gratified, 
No  grief  be  yours  this  year. 

***** 

I  send  to  you  this  Christmas  greeting  — 
May  joys  be  lasting,  sorrows  fleeting. 

***** 

May  all  the  days  of  coming  year 

Be  filled  with  peace  for  you; 
And  not  one  cloud  in  your  life's  sky 

Come  ever  into  view. 


May  Christmas  bring  thee  peace  and  joy, 

No  cloud  be  in  life's  sky. 
May  coming  years  be  filled  with  good, 

All  evil  pass  thee  by. 

169 


CHRISTMAS  VERSES. 

May  Christmas  joys  be  thine  today 
With  Love  to  wipe  each  tear  away. 


A  Merrie  Christmas  to  you  all, 
A  bright  and  happy  coming  year. 
May  richest  blessings  come  to  you 
And  fill  your  home  with  every  cheer. 

*          *          *          *          * 

TO    A    LETTER    CARRIER. 

May  every  letter  bring  you  joy, 
Each  paper  bring  you  cheer. 

Each  package  (show  a  sign  of  gold) 
That  comes  to  you  this  year. 

May  every  hope  of  yours  come  true, 
This  is  one  wish  J  send  to  you. 

Have  faith  in  every  good  you  see  — 
Sweet  Charity  e'er  dwell  with  thee. 

***** 

This  is  the  wish  I  send  to  you 

That  every  hope  of  yours  come  true 

Your  faith  in  good  be  not  dispelled  — 
In  heart,  let  Charity  be  held. 

170 


CHRISTMAS  VERSES. 


"A  Merrie  Christmas  "  to  you  all, 

And  happy  coming  years; 
May  every  day  be  filled  with  joy, 

Not  tarnished  be  by  tears. 

***** 

Christmas  Greetings  I  now  send, 

And  a  bright  and  happy  year; 

All  its  months  be  filled  with  peace, 

Not  one  sorrow,  not  one  tear. 

***** 

Dear  Hope  looks  ever  forward 

To  bright  and  happy  days. 
Sweet  Faith  is  her  companion, 

And  Charity  for  them  prays. 

***** 

Christmas  greeting  to  you  all, 

And  a  happy,  bright  ''New  Year" 

All  its  months  be  filled  with  peace, 

Not  one  sorrow,  not  one  tear. 

***** 

A  loving  Christmas  greeting 

I  will  to  you  now  send, 
And  love  shall  be  our  watch-word, 

Our  friendship  have  no  end. 

171 


CHRISTMAS  VERSES. 

May  Christmas  bring  to  thee  sweet  peace, 

With  love  from  every  friend. 
May  all  thy  days  be  filled  with  joy  — 

This  wish  to  thee  I  send. 

***** 

I  want  to  thank  thee,  friend  of  mine, 
For  /ove,  which  is  a  gift  divine. 
New  Year  Greetings  "  I  send  thee  — 
From  every  grief  may'st  thou  be  free 

Throughout  the  coming  year. 

***** 

There's  naught  can  equal  friendship  true, 

Today  I  send  this  gift  to  you. 
May  coming  years  be  filled  with  joy, 

And  life  be  gold  without  alloy. 

***** 

A  Happy  New  Year"  to  you  all, 

Sweet  flowers  bestrew  your  way, 

Love's  sunshine  rest  upon  your  home, 

With  never  shadow  gray. 

***** 

Sweet  flowers  be  in  thy  pathway 
Throughout  the  coming  year  — 

May  not  one  sorrow  come  to  thee 
And  not  one  bitter  tear. 

172 


THE  LITTLE  THINGS  OF  LIFE. 

It  is  the  little  things  of  life 

-That  make  the  greater  show; 
That  bring  the  greater  good,  or  ill, 
That  cause  you  joy,  or  woe. 

It  is  the  little  things  each  day 
That  you  should  ever  heed; 

The  larger  ones  you  need  not  watch, 
They  will  not  trouble  breed. 

Life  is  made  up  of  little  things, 

It  is  the  seeds  you  sow 
That  will  spring  up  and  bear  their  fruit, 

Then  care  on  them  bestow. 

From  little  echoes  of  the  past 

A  joyful  note  should  ring. 
The  song  is  heard  throughout  your  life, 

No  sad  refrain  then  sing. 

Whatever  song  is  sung  in  life, 

If  it  does  cause  one  pain, 
Should  never  once  be  sung  again; 

Repeat  no  sad  refrain. 

173 


Then  guard  your  every  word  and  thought, 

And  every  little  deed. 
Hate  will  spring  up  if  you  sow  hate, 

Then  only  sow  Love-seed. 

If  you  have  love  within  your  heart, 

For  love  you  need  not  wait, 
But  poison  ypu  will  surely  reap 

If  you  sow  seeds  of  hate. 


174 


OTHER  DAYS. 

The  memory  of  my  childhood  days 

Is  very  dear  to  me ; 
And  yet  sad  dreams  are  o'er  me  cast, 

And  shadows  oft  I  see. 

Some  memories  J  would  fain  forget  — 
I  might  have  done  more  good; 

Oftimes  I  may  have  selfish  been, 
O'er  that  I  will  not  brood. 

My  heart  is  sad  o'er  misspent  time; 

Time  gone  is  lost  for  aye. 
We  never  can  bring  back  again 

A  single  misspent  day. 

Some  mem'ries  haunt  me  when  awake, 
Are  phantoms  of  my  sleep; 

They  stalk  abroad  with  stealthy  step  — 
For  them  I  often  weep. 


175 


WORK  WHILE  THE  DAY  LASTS. 

Gather  honey  in  the  summer 

For  the  winter  of  our  lives. 
We  must  toil  on,  ever,  ever, 

There  should  be  no  drones  in  hives. 

We  are  workers  in  life's  pastures; 

Toiling  on  from  morn  till  night; 
Never  loitering,  never  idling, 

Ever  foremost  in  life's  fight. 

Though  we  bend  beneath  our  burdens, 
Though  we  fall  down  by  the  way; 

We  are  not  discouraged  ever, 
We  are  ready  for  life's  fray. 

In  the  evening,  in  the  gloaming, 
When  our  life  work  is  all  done, 

We  will  rest  from  all  our  labors, 
At  the  setting  of  the  sun. 

Every  flower  hath  in  it  honey, 
In  all  life  there  is  some  sweet. 

In  God's  vineyard  we  are  workers, 
And  though  troubles  we  may  meet, 

176 


They  should  never  overcome  us, 
And  they  will  not,  if  we're  brave, 

Though  there's  naught  but  toil  and  trouble 
Fr.om  the  cradle  to  the  grave. 

Every  one  bring  in  some  honey 

From  the  garden  of  his  heart. 
Ev'ry  one  should  do  his  duty, 

In  the  world  act  well  his  part. 

Soon  the  summer  will  be  ended, 
And  the  time  to  work  be  past. 

Soon  the  winter  will  o'ertake  us, 
And  dark  clouds  our  lives  o'ercast. 


177 


BATTLE  FOR  THE  RIGHT. 

We  must  be  brave  in  life's  hard  battles, 
Must  ever  battle  for  the  right; 

And  when  our  cause  is  just  and  worthy, 
We  must  be  valiant  in  the  fight. 

We  must  be  fearless  and  courageous, 
And  ever  fight  against  the  wrong, 

And  we  must  never  be  discouraged, 
Right  be  the  keynote  of  life's  song. 

For  right  o'  er  wrong  will  surely  triumph ; 

Will  ever  conquer  in  the  end. 
And  we  shall  win  the  hard  fought  battle, 

If  we  will  e'er  the  right  defend. 


Then  take  your  place  among  the  foremost, 
And  hold  that  place  if  you  are  right. 

O,  fear  not  that  you  can  be  vanquished, 
If  you  stand  boldly  in  your  might. 


178 


FAITH,  HOPE  AND  CHARITY. 

Faith  hopes  for  things  that  are  not  seen; 

Looks  forward  to  the  time 
When  she  will  see  her  hopes  fulfilled; 

When  she  can  upward  climb 

To  dizzy  heights  (perhaps  for  some)  ? 

But  Faith  is  ever  strong: 
No  place  so  high  she  cannot  reach  — 

She  soars  above  the  throng 

Of  faithless  ones  who  —  fearful  —  stand 

In  darkness  and  in  gloom. 
For  Faith  is  ever  buoyed  up, 

She  looks  beyond  the  tomb. 

Discouraged  she  can  never  be; 

For  Faith  is  ever  brave. 
Her  eyes  are  fixed  on  heaven's  gate, 

Though  entrance  be  the  grave. 

Sweet  Faith  bids  you  to  future  look; 

She  never  dreams  of  care. 
She  leads  you  e'en  to  heaven's  door, 

To  all  things  bright  and  fair. 

179 


Hope  is  her  hand-maid,  ever  true, 
She  never  leaves  Faith's  side; 

She  helps  her  on  at  every  step, 
With  her  e'er  will  abide. 

Without  sweet  Hope,  O,  what  is  life ! 

Dear  Hope  to  Faith  is  kin; 
She  ever  looks  on  life's  bright  side, 

Hope  will  high  heaven  win. 

If  Faith  and  Hope  should  sink  beneath 
The  burdens  on  them  laid, 

On  Charity  they  may  rely, 
She  willing  is  to  aid 

And  lend  a  helping  hand  to  all, 

And  do  whate'er  she  can; 
For  service  is  what  Charity 

Must  render  unto  man. 

Now  Charity  a  blessing  gives: 
May  you  that  blessing  share, 

And  every  day  shall  happy  be 
As  on  life's  road  you  fare. 


180 


TO  A  WHITE  BUTTERFLY. 

I  see  a  pure  white  butterfly 
A  flitting  'mong  the  flowers: 

His  life  seems  full  of  happiness; 
He  rests  in  Love' s  own  bowers. 

Although  his  life  seems  but  a  day; 

He  does  his  work  full  well: 
He  squanders  not  one  single  hour  — 

He  hears  no  funeral  knell; 

He  hearkens  only  to  Life's  songs 
And  sips  life's  honey-dew  — 

We  should  of  him  a  lesson  learn, 
Sip  sweets  instead  of  rue. 

He  seems  to  chase  the  sunbeams  now, 

In  love  with  their  bright  rays  — 
He  tarries  but  a  moment,  though, 

Each  law  of  life  obeys. 

***** 

O  butterfly!      Elit  merrily, 

I  watch  thee  with  delight. 
Thou  oft  doth  hide  among  the  flowers 

No  flower  doth  thee  e'er  slight. 

181 


0  pretty,  happy  butterfly! 
A  lesson  we  might  learn 

Of  thee,  as  thou  dost  kiss  the  flowers, 
Or  rest  upon  a  fern. 

Thou  art  coquettish,  butterfly, 

With  laughter  in  thy  kiss. 
So  spread  thy  wings,  and  speed  away, 

Leave  flowers  in  seeming  bliss. 

1  feel  there  is  a  life  for  thee 

Where  flowers  never  die; 
Where  thou  canst  e'er  sip  honey-dew 
O,  pure,  white  butterfly. 


182 


MAY  AND  DECEMBER. 

December,  glancing  out  his  window, 

Caught  fleeting  glimpse  of  sweet  young  May, 

And  instantly  he  sought  to  win  her, 
And  have  her  with  him  ever  stay. 

December  ever  having  plenty 

Of  this  world's  goods,  had  never  thought 
It  might  be  gold  that  would  attract  her, 

That  May,  by  money  could  be  bought. 

December  paid  out  money  freely 

To  win  from  May  a  little  smile, 
But  May  had  tears  as  well  as  laughter, 

And  tears  oft  came  to  cover  guile. 

December  soon  found  out  his  folly, 

Alas !      For  both  it  was  too  late ! 
He  found  that  May  loved  but  his  money  — 

His  love  then  turned  to  bitter  hate. 

There  soon  came  trouble  in  the  household, 

Hot  bickerings  and  direful  strife. 
For  youth  and  age  are  not  congenial 

When  joined  together —  "  Man  and  Wife." 


183 


When  money  is  the  bond  of  union, 
You  may  as  well  this  understand : 

That  Spring,  with  joy  discards  old  Winter 
They  do  not  long  go  hand  in  hand. 


184 


THE  OLD  CLOCK'S  STRIKE. 

I'm  all  run  down  —  (the  old  clock  said)  — 

I'm  sure  I  need  a  rest. 
I've  worked  most  faithfully  for  years; 

Have  always  done  my  best. 

But  now  I'  m  weak  in  every  part. 

If  I  could  sleep  at  night 
I  should  awake  refreshed,  I  know — 

And  work  would  then  seem  light. 

If  I  could  only  stop  one  hour, 

So  happy  I  should  be; 
My  hands  again  would  mark  Time's  flight 

All  uncomplainingly. 

Though  joints  may  creak,  and  cogs  may  break, 

My  face  is  fair  to  see; 
It  ever  looks  serenely  down 

Yet  longs  for  liberty. 

But  if  I  strike  for  liberty, 

To  attic  I  must  go, 
And  ever  after  live  in  gloom; 

In  loneliness  and  woe. 


185 


QUESTIONS  ? 

What  is  thought,  what  is  its  power? 
What  is  life  with  all  its  changes? 
What  is  seeing,  what  is  hearing? 
What  is  loving,  what  is  hating? 
What  is  laughing,  what  is  crying? 
What  is  living,  what  is  dying? 
When  th'  beginning,  when  the  ending? 
What  are  atoms,  when  created  ? 
What  is  light,  and  what  is  darkness? 
What  is  real,  what  is  shadow? 
What  is  fire,  and  what  is  water? 
Why  doth  th'  pole  attract  the  magnet? 
What  is  the  power  that  keeps  in  motion 
The  countless  stars,  the  countless  planets? 
What  is  soul,  and  what  is  spirit? 
What  is  God,  the  great  Creator? 
What  creation,  when  created? 
Whence  came  man,  and  what  his  future? 
How  doth  the  flower  take  on  its  color? 
How  doth  the  tree  take  on  its  fruitage? 
Is  this  world  but  one  of  many?  • 
Is  it  slowly  dying,  dying? 
Born  of  fire  that  will  destroy  it? 


186 


"WHAT  WILL  THEY  SAW 

Why  /  am  They,  so  what  care  I 
What  people  say,  what  people  do? 
Though  I  will  do  the  best  I  can 
That  I  may  nothing  have  to  rue. 

I'll  ride  or  walk,  or  stay  at  home. 
If  They  see  fit  to  criticise, 
Most  welcome  They  to  scan  my  life, 
And  find  the  worst  that  in  me  lies. 

My  dress  shall  be  black,  white  or  blue, 
Red,  yellow,  purple,  pink  or  green. 
It  may  be  of  the  latest  mode, 
Or  not  another  like  it  seen. 

I  will  not  bow  to  people's  gods 
Unless  my  reason  tells  me  to, 
Two  people  never  think  the  same 
For  there  are  many  points  of  view. 

I  am  a  law  unto  myself, 
No  one  shall  ever  for  me  think. 
No  one  shall  say  what  I  may  read, 
E'en  though  I  may  be  on  the  brink 

187 


Of  losing  caste  with  the  elect; 
But  what  from  them  shall  I  e'er  gain? 
I'll  read  whatever  books  I  please, 
And  no  one  o'er  my  soul  shall  reign. 

I  will  not  be  a  slave  to  They  — 
Imprisoned  I  will  never  be 
By  what  They  say,  or  what  They  do  — 
For  in  this  world  I  will  be  free. 

My  God  is  God  of  love  and  peace, 
And  all  His  precepts  are  divine. 
To  me,  my  God  is  all  in  all, 
And  I  will  worship  at  His  shrine. 


188 


TO  A  METEOR. 

How  earnest  thou  to  visit  earth, 

And  what  thy  message  here? 
Art  thou  an  omen  of  ill  luck, 

Or  bringest  thou  good  cheer? 

Our  ears  are  deaf;  we  cannot  hear  — 

Our  eyes,  too  blind  to  see 
What  use  thou  art  in  heaven,  or  earth, 

How  cam'  st  thou  to  be  free  ? 

As  thou  didst  journey  down  through  space, 

What  wonders  met  thy  view? 
Canst  thou  tell  us  of  other  worlds, 

Or  vainly  shall  we  sue  ? 

We  wish  to  know  if  thy  lost  home 

Is  peopled  like  our  own  — 
Are  other  planets  without  life? 

As  thistle-down  e'er  blown 

Around,  about,  in  unknown  space, 

In  starry  heavens  grand; 
Cast  off  as  a  dead  useless  thing, 

Though  fashioned  by  God's  hand. 

189 


Thou  teachest  us  how  small  we  are, 

How  little  we  do  know. 
Thou  may'st  have  wandered  down  through 
space 

Not  knowing  where  to  go. 

But  now  thou  hast  a  resting  place 

Upon  our  little  earth : 
Mayhap  thou  hast  forgotten  e'en 

The  place  where  thou  hadst  birth. 


190 


A  MESSAGE. 

I  was  sitting  in  the  gloaming 

Thinking  of  the  dear  departed; 

When  a  sweet  low  voice  addressed  me, 

"  I  am  with  thee,  when  thou  need'st  me 

Fear  thou  not  to  call  upon  me." 

I  am  from  the  land  of  spirits, 

Come  to  help  the  sorrow  stricken, 

God  hath  given  His  permission 

That  I  come  to  those  in  sorrow. 

Fear  thou  not,  the  law  is  perfect. 

Soul  to  soul  is  e'er  united 

If   they  live  in  sweet  communion. 

Thou  was  left  and  1  was  taken  - 

Fare  thee  well,  but  for  a  little. 

I  am  called  to  other  duties, 

But  will  come  when  thou  dost  need  me- 

Thou  must  take  up  all  thy  burdens  — 

Ever  help  thy  weaker  brother; 

This  is  Lan\  and  thou  must  live  it. 


191 


PEACE. 

Drop  life's  crosses  by  the  way, 
Carry  peace  and  courage  on. 
You  have  untold  blessings  yet  — 
You  have  many  victories  won. 

Peace  should  guide  you  while  on  earth 
Peace  awaits  you  bye  and  bye. 
Peace  should  be  your  guiding  star, 
It  is  ever  in  life's  sky. 

Peace  doth  hover  ever  near, 
And  will  brood  you  'neath  her  wings. 
She  will  give  you  comfort  e'er; 
And  melodious  songs  she  sings. 

Faith  in  God  will  give  you  peace, 
Heaven  is  better  than  this  earth. 
Take  your  blessings  thankfully, 
Heaven  was  yours  before  your  birth. 


192 


GOOD  NIGHT. 

I  soon  shall  go  to  sleep,  dear  — 
A  sweet  and  dreamless  sleep, 

But  angels  will  watch  o'er  me, 
So  do  not  for  me  weep. 

Our  faith  is  strong,  and  grounded 
Upon  Truth's  solid  rock; 

'Twas  old  in  the  beginning, 
No  dogma  can  it  shock. 

Too  many  grope  in  darkness, 

Uncertain  of  the  light, 
They  know  not  their  foundation  - 

Live  ever  in  the  night. 

There  is  a  Power  that  ruleth, 

Around,  about,  above, 
We  never  doubt  the  goodness, 

We  never  doubt  the  love 

Of  God,  the  "Great  Creator"- 
We  live  and  move  in  Him: 

Amid  His  glorious  sunshine, 
Out  of  life's  shadows  dim. 

193 


Good  night,  .my  dear — Good  morning 

Is  not  so  far  away, 
Though  life  has  many  shadows, 

They  vanish  at  death's  day. 


194 


LETTER  FROM  PEEK  A  BOO. 

I  do  not  want  to  go  to  school, 
(This  is  from  Peek  A  Boo.) 

I  know  enough  to  read  and  write, 
And  how  much  more  do  you? 

Geography  I  simply  hate, 

And  grammar  I  abhor. 
I  know  enough  to  state  my  wants: 

What  more  is  grammar  for: 

I  think  I'll  learn  a  little  Erench, 

I  want  to  go  to  France, 
In  Paris  I'd  enjoy  myself, 

On  Boulevarde  would  dance. 

Arithmetic  I  know  quite  well, 
Know  two  and  two  are  four; 

And  I  can  count  to  twenty-five, 
So  what  do  I  want  more? 

In  spelling  words  I'm  an  adept, 
Can  you  spell  to,  too,  two? 

If  not,  I'll  spell  them  all  for  you  — 
Yours  truly,  Peek  A  Boo. 

195 


A  SONG  OF  THANKS. 

I  thank  Thee,  God,  for  loving  friends 

With  hearts  attuned  to  mine. 
Though  love  may  sometimes  selfish  be, 

More  often  'tis  divine. 

We'll  tune  our  hearts  to  sing  Love's  lay, 

Have  heaven  here  below. 
We'll  banish  envy,  malice,  hate, 

Have  joy  instead  of  woe. 

Then  angel  choir  with  us  will  join 

To  sing  Love's  symphony. 
Peace  and  good  will  shall  be  the  song 

Throughout  eternity. 

O  Lord  of  Hosts!    From  whence  came  we 

And  whither  shall  we  go  ? 
No  wish  of  ours  brought  us  to  earth, 

Though  Thou  dost  love  bestow. 

Again  I  thank  Thee,  God  of  love 

For  all  Thy  mercies  great. 
No  man  can  understand  Thy  power 

Though  long  he  pray  and  wait. 

196 


NEW  YEAR'S  BELLS. 

The  New  Year's  bells  are  ringing 

O  list  to  what  they  say ! 
Though  old  year  has  departed, 

And  all  its  flowers  decay. 

New  flowers  are  ever  blooming 

Within  a  loving  heart, 
Be  thankful  for  life's  blessings, 

In  life  do  well  your  part. 

Another  year  is  buried: 

In  grave  interred  full  deep. 

Its  flowers  are  dead,  or  dying, 
But  why  for  them  now  weep  ? 

Fresh  flowers  will  bloom  tomorrow, 

The  same  as  yesterday; 
We'll  pluck  them  in  life's  morning, 

Dark  clouds  will  clear  away. 

Today  is  bright  and  joyous; 

Another  year  is  born; 
We'll  crown  it  with  sweet  roses, 

On  brow  put  not  one  thorn. 

197 


The  years  are  coming,  going, 

And  so  is  life  on  earth. 
Though  tears  are  ever  falling, 

There  is  enough  of  mirth 

To  give  us  joy  and  pleasure, 
And  make  us  glad  to  live; 

To  make  us  ever  thankful, 
And  willing  to  forgive. 

Our  life  is  worth  the  living, 
If  we  but  have  one  flower 

To  give  to  him  who  needs  it, 
And  love  upon  him  shower. 

The  New  Year's  bells  are  ringing, 
They  seem  to  sound  a  knell, 

But  joy  is  in  their  pealing, 

Ring  on,  O,  New  Year's  bell! 


198 


THE  PARTING  OF  THE  WATERS. 

The  parting  of  the  waters, 
The  parting  of  the  way! 
'In  life  'tis  ever  parting, 
Its  laws  we  must  obey. 

"  We  parted  yester-morning, 

So  dreary  was  the  day; 
We  met  again  at  evening, 
And  buried  yesterday. 

Life  is  made  up  of  partings, 
Life  is  made  up  of  tears  — 

Though  there  is  much  of  pleasure 
In  all  the  passing  years. 

We'll  take  life  as  we  find  it, 
We're  happier  so  to  do  — 

The  meeting  of  the  waters 
Brings  ever  something  new. 

The  parting  of  the  waters, 

The  ebbing  of  the  tide  — 
Will  drown  our  cares  and  troubles 
Out  in  life's  ocean  wide. 

199 


TOMORROW. 

We  are  happy  in  the  morrow, 

But  why  not  so  today  ? 
We  may  never  see  tomorrow, 

E'en  though  for  it  we  pray. 

We  are  ever  looking  forward 

For  happiness  and  peace. 
We  forget  'tis  but  the  present 

On  which  we  hold  a  lease. 

Though  in  heaven  we  lay  up  treasures, 
We  gathered  them  on  earth; 

And  today  we  still  must  gather, 
Tomorrow  there  is  dearth. 

And  the  yesterday  we'll  bury, 

For  yesterday  is  dead ; 
We'll  forget  it  had  existence; 

The  earth  is  now  its  bed. 

On  its  grave  we'll  plant  some  flowers, 

Then  strive  to  it  forget, 
It  gave  to  us  some  pleasure, 

As  well  as  some  regret. 

200 


LIFE'S  CROSSES. 

Though  your  cross  seems  all  too  heavy, 
And  life's  thorns  oft  pierce  your  brow, 
Though  life's  path  is  strewn  with  brambles, 
To  conditions  you  must  bow. 

There  are  thorns  among  life's  roses, 
There  are  crosses  everywhere; 
And  a  cross  for  each  to  carry, 
And  each  one  his  own  must  bear. 

Though  your  path  be  steep  and  rugged, 
And  you  wear  a  crown  of  thorns; 
Often  after  storm  clouds  gather, 
There  are  brightest  golden  morns. 

And  though  life  be  dark  and  gloomy, 
Seeming  more  than  you  can  bear, 
E'er  be  patient  on  your  journey, 
For  some  sorrow  each  must  bear. 

Though  you  bend  beneath  life's  crosses, 
Never  sink  to  dark  despair, 
For  a  crown  of  thornless  roses 
Is  awaiting  you  somewhere. 


201 


ALONE. 

All  alone,  and  yet  not  lonely, 
For  sweet  Nature  speaks  to  me, 
And  her  voice  is  sweetest  music; 
Is  to  me  a  symphony. 

All  the  Mowers  seem  to  whisper 
Words  of  love  to  me  alway, 
Sending  forth  their  fragrance  ever 
To  us  all,  on  life's  highway. 

And  the  robin  sings  sweet  love-notes, 
As  he  warbles  to  his  mate  — 
Lovingly  he  seeks  to  win  her, 
Never  trills  one  note  of  hate. 

And  the  rain-drops  gently  falling, 
Seem  to  kiss  the  window  pane; 
Then  a  tear-drop  at  the  evening 
Seems  to  sing  a  sad  refrain. 

E'en  the  wind  sometimes  seems  singing 
To  the  flowers,  a  lullaby. 
Oft  I  hear  it  sighing,  moaning, 
Singing  anthems  from  on  high. 

202 


E'en  the  morning  stars  are  singing, 
And  perhaps  the  evening  stars 
Answer  back  from  out  the  darkness: 
Answer  back  in  rhythmic  bars. 

So  I  never  can  be  lonely, 

Even  though  I  am  alone  — 

Eor  sweet  Nature  sings  an  anthem ; 

(E'en  though  sometimes  'tis  a  moan.) 

All  alone  but  not  forsaken. 
Nature  has  me  in  her  care ; 
She  will  teach  me  the  true  meaning 
Of  her  language  everywhere. 

1  will  trust  the  God  of  Nature, 
For  I  know  that  He  doth  reign ; 
That  He  guides  and  governs  Nature, 
And  at  last  high  heaven  I'll  gain. 


203 


FRIENDSHIP'S  GIFTS. 

A  gift  is  of  no  value 

Unless  it  is  a  part 
And  parcel  of  the  giver, 

And  comes  frnm  loving  heart. 

Accept  this  slight  memento; 

It  bears  kind  thoughts  to  thee. 
Good  wishes  for  thee  ever  — 

'Tis  friendship's  gift  from  me. 


To  give  because  another 
Has  made  a  gift  to  you; 

Because  you  think  you  ought  to 
You  will  the  gift  e'er  rue. 

Just  give  because  you  want  to, 
And  do  not  strive  to  show 

That  you  have  done  a  favor, 
For  thus  you'll  make  a  foe. 


204 


THE  MORNING  AND  EVENING  OF  LIFE. 

Youth  brings  to  us  sweet  roses, 

But  age  has  golden  sheaves 
To  twine  in  Love's  sweet  garland, 

And  bind  among  the  sheaves 
That  life  is  ever  giving 

To  youth's  bright  golden  morn. 
In  autumn,  leaves  are  falling: 

The  flowers  of  spring  are  gone. 

But  age  has  compensation; 

Experience  is  won  — 
Though  youthful  charms  have  vanished, 

And  Love's  young  dream  is  gone; 
Life's  road  has  had  its  roses 

E'er  blooming  on  its  way. 
Though  clouds  shut  out  some  sunlight, 

Full  oft  there  was  a  ray 

That  brightened  all  life's  morning, 

Dispersing  shadows  aye  — 
Though  withered  leaves,  Age  garners 

When  Youth  has  passed  away. 


205 


But  there  is  an  awakening 

For  Youth  and  Age  some  day 

They  both  must  give  accounting 
For  time  that's  passed  away. 


206 


BUILDING. 

Perhaps  I  may  have  builded 
Much  better  than  I  know; 

Have  saved  some  one  from  trouble, 
Have  saved  some  one  from  woe. 

A  word  when  fitly  spoken 

Will  travel  on  its  way 
Until  it  finds  a  harbor 

To  anchor  and  to  stay. 

The  word  mayhap  has  fallen 
Where  it  will  do  most  good; 

By  it  some  one  has  risen, 
Temptation  has  withstood. 

We  little  know  when  building 
Life's  structure,  from  our  birth, 

That  not  one  word  is  buried, 
Decaying  in  the  earth. 

We  raise  a  tower  to  heaven, 
If  we  but  build  with  love; 

But  strong  must  be  foundation 
If  we  would  rest  above. 

207 


ANCESTRY. 

'Tis  not  of  my  great  ancestors 
That  I  would  speak  or  write  today; 
Although  I  may  be  proud  of  them, 
They  all  have  passed  from  earth  away. 

'Tis  better  far  to  lead  a  life 
Of  helpfulness  to  brother  man; 
Than  boast  of  those  who  lived  their  life, 
And  passed  away  'fore  ours  began. 

'Tis  not  of  royal  lineage 

That  I  should  ever  once  be  proud; 

But,  that  on  my  escutcheon 

There  ne'er  has  been  a  single  cloud. 

It  is  of  what  I've  done  myself, 

And  all  that  I  have  yet  to  do  — 

The  good  I've  wrought  by  word,  or  deed, 

With  nothing  in  my  life  to  rue. 

I'll  try  to  leave  a  record  clean, 

And  one  that  will  an  honor  be, 

Though  knowing  naught  from  whence  I  came, 

I'll  build  for  an  eternity. 


208 


Though  from  the  dust  I  may  have  come, 
And  to  the  dust  may  soon  return, 
While  there  is  life  I  still  must  work; 
Life's  lesson  I  must  daily  learn. 

And  may  my  life  untainted  be, 
Not  bear  the  semblance  of  a  cloud. 
A  life  of  service  to  mankind; 
No  selfish  thought  should  it  enshroud. 

Time  rushes  on  with  lightning  speed, 
And  soon  life's  hour-glass  empty  stands. 
My  soul  cries  out  to  Thee,  my  God! 
A  heavenly  home  my  soul  demands. 

Though  life  should  be  a  dream  of  bliss, 
I  would  not  on  this  earth  e'er  stay; 
I  know  that  I  should  weary  be  — 
And  e'en  for  death  would  often  pray. 


209 


TRUE  FRIENDSHIP. 

Blest  is  the  man  who  has  a  friend 
Whom  he  can  trust  alway; 
Who  always  knows  just  when  to  speak, 
And  just  what  he  should  say. 

He  gives  advice  when  he  is  asked, 
But  does  not  volunteer 
To  tell  his  friends  what  they  should  do  — 
He  keeps  in  his  own  sphere. 

Perchance  we  may  have  such  a  friend, 
If  so  —  to  him  be  true. 
A  wisdom  lesson  take  of  him  — 
His  teaching  keep  in  view. 

WELCOME. 

The  latch-string  hangs  outside  our  door  — 

Our  welcome  is  inside. 
Just  give  the  string  a  gentle  pull 

An  th'  door  will  open  wide. 
Within,  are  hearts  brimful  of  love, 

True  hearts  that  beat  for  you. 
There  shall  be  naught  to  mar  your  stay, 

And  love  is  but  your  due. 

210 


REGRETS  ARE  VAIN. 

If  thou  hast  wronged  thy  brother  man, 
Begin  today  to  right  the  wrong; 
Then  life  will  be  a  symphony; 
No  sad  refrain  will  end  life's  song. 

But  having  wronged  thy  brother  man, 
What  is  the  use  of  vain  regret? 
The  past  can  never  be  recalled : 
Then  the  sad  past  try  to  forget. 

When  wrong  is  done  what  need  is  there 
O'er  it  to  worry  or  to  fret? 
Thou  hast  no  time  to  think  of  past 
When  present  problems  must  be  met. 

Much  better  spend  what  time  thou  hast 
In  doing  what  you  think  is  right; 
Than  fretting  o'  er  the  useless  past, 
Thus  bringing  to  thy  life  a  blight. 

If  thou  couldst  live  thy  life  again, 
With  all  the  knowledge  thou  now  hast, 
Couldst  thou  a  better  record  make, 
Than  thou  hast  made  in  the  dim  past? 


211 


Then  fret  not  o'er  a  misspent  past  — 
'Tis  dead,  and  should  be  buried  too. 
Today,  O  cover  it  with  flowers! 
And  gather  heart' s-ease  'stead  of  rue. 

Thy  sins  were  all  through  ignorance, 
But  now  that  lesson  hath  been  met; 
Thou  knowest  well  that  thy  dead  past 
Is  not  atoned  for  by  regret. 

Whate'er  thy  sin,  O,  bury  it 
So  deep  it  will  forgotten  be! 
On  it  build  monument  of  love, 
Thou  buildeth  for  eternity. 


212 


LEARN  HOW  TO  LIVE. 

O,  I  would  know  just  how  to  live, 
To  do  my  work  each  day. 

'Tis  better  far  to  help  mankind 
Than  bow  to  earth  and  pray. 

There's  work  for  all  of  us  to  do; 

To  do  while  here  on  earth; 
The  work  perhaps  mapped  out  for  us, 

Designed  before  our  birth. 

Though  prayer  may  help  to  elevate 
Our  thoughts  to  higher  things, 

By  prayer  alone  we  do  no  good  — 
For  us  it  never  brings 

A  happy  home,  nor  food,  nor  clothes 
For  these,  we  all  must  work 

By  manual  labor,  or  by  brains. 
No  duty  then  e'er  shirk. 

We  should  then  study  how  to  live. 

The  lesson,  how  to  die. 
Is  ever  given  us  at  death : 

W7e  need  not  question  why. 

213 


There  is  an  over  ruling  power. 

We  asked  not  for  earth  life  — 
And  oft,  some  one  so  weary  is 

Of  all  the  earthly  strife 

That  he  must  bear  (though  oft  he  pray:  ) 

He  falls  upon  life's  road, 
And  gladly  shuts  his  eyes  in  death, 

And  drops  life's  heavy  load. 

Then  learn  to  live, — 'tis  better  far 

Life  s  lesson  to  learn  well, 
Than  spend  your  days  in  worrying 

O'er  home  where  we  shall  dwell. 

We  help  to  build  that  home  each  day 

By  what  we  say,  and  do. 
Each  day  shall  be  a  judgment  day, 

Each  night  our  work  review, 

And  if  we  find  e'en  one  mistake, 

Correct  it  if  we  can ; 
If  not,  life's  structure  will  be  weak; 

On  home  will  rest  a  ban. 


214 


NO  ONE  IS  EXEMPT  EROM  TROUBLE. 

Bear  your  cross,  and  bear  it  bravely, 

Eor  your  good  'tis  on  you  lain. 
No  one  else  can  bear  it  for  you : 

Never  cross  is  borne  in  vain. 

Other  backs  must  bend  'neath  burdens, 
Every  one  some  cross  must  bear. 

Trouble  seems  the  gift  of  demons  — 
There  are  burdens  everywhere. 

Dire  mistakes  we're  ever  making, 

Filling  life  with  vain  regrets: 
But  regrets  can  never  help  us  — 

Ignorance  must  pay  its  debts. 

And  perhaps  we  learn  a  lesson 

When  we  break  just  Nature's  laws  — 

Just  the  same,  for  it  we  suffer, 
E'en  though  ignorance  the  cause. 

Stand  erect,  and  fight  life's  battles, 

And  a  victory  you'll  win  — 
If  you  conquer  one  temptation, 

You  have  helped  to  vanquish  sin. 


215 


SOUL  MATES. 

O,  1  can  never  thee  forget! 

My  dear  and  loving  friend. 
For  loving  thoughts  in  souls  entwined 

Can  never  have  an  end. 

Our  souls  united  were,  in  past, 
Though  when,  I  do  not  know. 

But  they  were  joined  by  Love  himself, 
For  happiness,  not  woe. 

If  souls  have  met,  though  seas  divide, 

They  cannot  parted  be. 
There  is  a  cord  of  love  that  binds 

Throughout  eternity. 

Though  hands  are  never  clasped  in  love, 
Nor  lips  frame  words  of  cheer, 

The  soul  needs  not  these  earthly  signs 
To  tell  that  each  is  dear. 

1  pray  that  we  meet  not  on  earth, 

For  eyes  speak  love  untold! 
When  souls  are  joined  by  loving  thoughts, 

In  heaven  they  will  unfold. 

216 


Though  man  may  often  prove  untrue, 

He  never  can  forget; 
For  untrue  thoughts  are  stamped  on  brain 

In  letters  of  regret. 

But  love  of  souls  is  ever  pure 

In  it  there  is  no  guile. 
The  soul  is  pure,  e'en  though  man  sins; 

For  naught  can  it  defile. 

All  evil  thoughts  are  from  the  brain; 

Their  home  is  not  the  soul. 
For  soul  is  spark  direct  from  God 

To  guide,  but  not  control. 

In  heaven  there's  nothing  to  forgive; 

Life's  page  we  need  not  scan. 
Erased  is  every  evil  thought; 

On  it  there  is  no  ban. 

And  now  farewell  —  'tis  better  so  — 

An  ideal  love  is  ours; 
E'en  though  we  never  meet  on  earth, 

We'll  dwell  in  heavenly  bowers. 


217 


THE  SEA-KING'S  LOVE. 

Once  a  sea-king  fell  in  love 
With  a  pretty  sea-nymph  gay, 
And  he  ordered  all  sea-waves 
To  declare  his  love  straightway. 

She  returned  his  love  at  first  — 
All  too  soon  she  tired  of  him. 
She  complained  her  home  was  dark, 
That  it  made  her  eyes  grow  dim. 

And  the  music  of  the  waves 
Ever  seemed  sad  notes  of  pain ; 
Joyous  songs  they  never  sang, 
And  her  love  was  on  the  wane. 

But  the  wish  of  one  wee  nymph 
Ne'er  can  stay  a  sea-king's  will. 
Sad  sea-waves  sing  ever  on ; 
Earthly  power  cannot  them  still. 


Sing  on !  sing  on ! ' '  the  king  commands ! 
"  Disobedience  is  a  crime. 
Sad  though  songs,  ye  must  sing  on  — 
Ye  must  sing  throughout  all  time." 


218 


Chant  your  song,  O  sea-waves,  chant! 
There  is  naught  your  song  can  stay. 
In  the  morning,  at  the  eve  — 
E'er  the  King  of  kings  obey. 

Though  a  sea-nymph  may  complain, 
I  will  gladly  list  to  you, 
As  you  dash  upon  life's  shore  — 
Ever  old,  yet  ever  new. 

Gloomy  though  your  singing  is, 
Joy  may  in  your  song  be  heard; 
For  the  waves  reflect  our  moods; 
Chant  a  dirge;  trill  song  of  bird. 


219 


TEMPEST  TOSSED. 

A  storm  was  raging  on  the  deep  — 

Began  at  early  dawn ; 
Each  moment  stronger  grew  the  gale  — 

The  sailors  were  forlorn. 

The  captain  had  forsaken  ship, 

He  lay  beneath  the  waves. 
The  sails  were  gone:  the  vessel  plunged, 

And  many  found  their  graves 

Beneath  the  angry  billows  cold. 

No  one  knew  what  to  do, 
But  tried  to  save  the  sinking  ship, 

This  brave  and  gallant  crew. 

The  day  grew  dark,  with  black,  black  clouds 

And  darker  was  the  night. 
But  men  so  loyal  and  so  brave 

Could  not  give  up  the  fight. 

Next  morn  the  storm  had  cleared  away; 

There  was  some  light  ahead. 
The  waves,  atoning  for  the  past, 

Sang  requiem  for  the  dead. 

***** 

220 


We're  tempest  tossed  on  life's  rough  sea, 
Our  chart  and  compass  gone. 

With  tattered  sails  and  boats  adrift  — 
Have  we  one  vict'ry  won 

In  life's  hard  battles  for  the  right? 

Have  we  done  any  good 
To  fellow-man  on  life's  highway? 

Temptations  e'er  withstood. 

God  is  the  captain  of  life's  ship  — 
Though  ship  is  tossed  by  waves 

And  battered  by  the  storms  of  life, 
God  hears  our  cry  and  saves. 

Though  storms  may  rage  and  billows  roll, 
There's  naught  can  overwhelm 

Our  ship  of  life,  however  weak, 
For  God  is  at  the  helm! 


God  is  the  captain  of  our  soul, 

E'en  though  we're  tempest  tossed, 

We  know  that  we  shall  reach  our  port ; 
Our  soul  will  not  be  lost. 


221 


We  will  at  last  reach  heaven's  port, 
And  anchor  safely  there, — 

When  earthly  voyage  ended  is, 
God  will  for  us  still  care. 


222 


CONSCIENCK  IS  THE  JUDGMENT  SEAT. 

Though  I  am  not  afraid  to  die, 

I  am  afraid  to  live. 
Life's  problems  are  too  deep  for  me  — 

Unless  I  can  forgive 

The  sins  that  I  commit  each  day, 

They  will  not  be  forgiven. 
My  day-book  must  not  spotted  be, 

I  must  in  soul  find  heaven. 

And  I  must  keep  my  soul  e'er  pure, 

A  fit  abode  for  God. 
And  yet,  it  may  be,  every  sin 

Is  buried  'neath  the  sod. 

Until  we  can  forgive  ourselves 

Mistakes  we  make  each  day; 
God  will  not  one  of  them  forgive, 

E'en  though  to  Him  we  pray. 

If  our  own  sins  we  can  forgive, 

Be  sure  they  are  forgiven. 
The  Judgment  Seat  is  in  the  soul  — 

The  soul,  with  God  in  heaven. 


223 


IT  IS  WRITTEN. 

We  have  turned  a  leaf  in  a  volume, 
That  has  covered  a  written  page. 
Though  by  us  it  may  be  forgotten 
It  had  birth  in  th'  soul  of  a  sage. 

We  are  writing,  writing  forever; 
We  are  writing  with  fadeless  ink. 
And  each  day,  life's  page  we  are  turning, 
And  are  ever  forging  a  link 

That  doth  bind  our  life's  book  so  strongly 
It  can  never  more  be  destroyed; 
And  some  day  when  we  scan  its  pages, 
We  shall  find  some  fair  page  devoid 

Of  the  good  which  we  might  have  written, 

But  alas!    it  is  now  too  late! 

We  can  never  change  word,  nor  sentence, 

E'en  though  sounding  a  note  of  hate. 
*         *         *         *         # 

We  should  turn  back  life's  page  each  evening, 
And  the  record  read  of  the  day, 
And  if  page  is  soiled  by  injustice, 
Try  to  cover  the  stain  straightaway. 


224 


We  may  sometimes  know  the  wise  reason 
Why  our  life  is  filled  with  regret; 
Why  temptations  ever  surround  us, 
And  by  them,  why  we  are  beset. 

There  are  thorns  on  all  of  life's  roses, 
And  a  worm  may  blight  the  young  bud, — 
Ever  vain  regrets  will  confront  us  — 
Deadly  poisons  lurk  in  life's  blood. 

We  must  study  life  as  we  find  it; 
Ever  do  the  best  that  we  can. 
Ev'ry  day  overcome  some  evil, 
Thus  removing  from  life  some  ban. 

Ev'ry  day  live  nearer  to  heaven, 
All  the  sins  of  earth  cast  away. 
Living  up  to  our  highest  standard, 
And  the  laws  of  our  soul  obey. 

For  our  life  is  a  written  volume, 

And  each  day  is  a  record  brief, 

We  should  read  each  day  what  is  written, 

Though  some  page  may  bring  to  us  grief. 


225 


'THE  TRUTH  SHALL  MAKE  YOU  FREE.  " 

'*  Waiting  the  word  of  the  Master;" 

But  who  may  the  Master  be? 
Can  it  be  the  soul  within  us 
Ever  struggling  to  be  free? 

Is  it  what  has  once  been  taught  us 

In  a  former  life  on  earth? 
Is  it  what  we  gather  daily, 

Or  the  lessons  '  fore  our  birth. 

Though  what  e'er  may  be  the  lesson, 

For  the  truth,  I  only  pray; 
And  I  pray  for  guidance  ever, 

For  the  truth  I  would  obey. 

In  all  creeds  there  is  some  wisdom, 

And  may  I  the  wisdom  grasp. 
Though  it  be  from  pen  of  "  heathen  ", 

His  hand  I'll  most  gladly  clasp. 

For  the  truth,  where  e'er  I  find  it, 
Is  the  truth,  though  in  new  guise; 

And  whoever  learns  the  lesson, 
And  accepts  but  truth,  is  wise. 


226 


Then  await  the  word  of  th'  Master  — 
It  will  come  some  day  to  you; 

For  the  path  of  truth  be  watchful, 
It  is  old,  but  ever  new. 

On  the  banner  of  the  Master 

I  will  now  my  name  enroll; 
For  he  gladly  helps  me  nurture 

Ev'ry  truth  within  my  soul. 

I'll  be  governed  in  the  future 

By  the  trnth  within  my  soul. 
Though  there's  seeming  truth  in  falsehood 

No  false  note  shall  me  control. 

Ev'ry  nation,  and  all  peoples 
Have  the  truth  in  some  degree, 

If  they  walk  in  th'  Master's  footsteps 
From  all  errors  they'll  be  free. 

Now  I  hear  the  Master  calling: 

And  this  message  is  for  me. 
"  Live  the  life  that  I  am  teaching, 

And  the  truth  shall  make  you  free." 


227 


MOTHER  NATURE. 

Dear  Mother  Nature,  I  would  be 
In  closest  harmony  with  thee. 
With  patience  I  would  bear  each  cross; 
There's  much  to  gain  in  every  loss. 

Though  ills  may  come  I'd  be  content, 
With  thankful  heart  take  what  is  sent. 
Perfection  is  not  our  behest  — 
Life's  lessons  all,  are  for  the  best. 

E'en  though  we  have  so  much  to  bear, 
We're  ever  in  the  Master's  care. 
Temptations  we  have  oft  withstood; 
Perhaps  e'en  thev  were  for  our  good. 

I'll  try  e'ermore  to  be  content, 
Accept  with  patience  what  is  sent. 
Will  give  to  others  of  my  joy, 
Then  life  will  be  without  alloy. 

Will  not  repine  at  any  ill, 

Will  try  each  duty  to  fulfill. 

And  all  my  burdens  will  lay  down  — 

Accept  each  cross,  thus  win  a  crown. 

228 


THE  MOUNTAIN  BROOK. 

O,  laughing,  talking,  singing  brook! 
Within  thy  depths  I  gladly  look  — 
Of  thee  a  lesson  I  would  learn; 
With  humble  thoughts  to  thee  I  turn. 

Thou  art  e'er  struggling  to  be  free, 
And  gain  thy  home,  the  deep  blue  sea. 
The  sun-god  often  kisses  thee, 
As  thou  dost  journey  to  the  sea. 

Though  rough  thy  way,  naught  can  impede 
Thy  journey  onward,  nor  thy  speed. 
By  thee,  O  brook,  I  love  to  stay, 
And  listen  to  thy  voice  alway. 

Though  oft  with  anger  thou  seem'st  filled, 
And  voice  is  loud  (will  not  be  stilled)  — 
Sometimes  it  seems  to  gently  drone, 
Thy  former  anger  to  condone. 

Our  life  is  as  the  running  brook  — 
We  never  pause  by  way  to  look 
At  rocks,  nor  pitfalls  in  the  way, 
For  Nature's  laws  we  must  obey. 

229 


The  laughing  brook  sings  songs  of  joy, 
Its  voice  is  sweet,  but  will  not  cloy. 
It  rushes  on  with  headlong  speed, 
E'en  rocks  will  not  its  course  impede. 

It  sometimes  seems  to  speak  to  us 
Sweet  words  of  cheer,  all  glorious. 
It  whispers  this,  "O,  peace,  be  still!" 
"  Obey!      It  is  your  Master's  will!  " 

The  brook  will  go  forever  on, 
E'en  in  the  sea  no  rest  is  won. 
O  singing  brook,  thou  seem'st  to  be 
A  type  of  immortality! 


230 


THE  CHAIN  OF  LIFE. 

How  strangely  familiar  all  that  I  see! 

The  swift  running  brook,  the  wide-spreading  tree; 

The  songs  of  the  birds  that  now  I  adore, 

I  feel  I  have  heard  in  ages  before. 

Though  I  may  have  lived  a  life  before  this, 
A  failure  it  was,  with  little  of  bliss. 
These  scenes  are  not  new,  nor  either  my  life, 
With  all  of  its  struggles,  all  of  its  strife. 

If  from  the  dim  past  I've  come  to  this  earth, 
And  brought  nothing  new,  what  use  is  rebirth? 
Past  memories  haunt  me,  few  of  them  sweet, 
As  walking  this  earth  again  I  them  meet. 

Is  life  on  this  earth  one  strong  endless  chain  - 
With  little  of  joy  o'er  balanced  by  pain? 
And  shall  I  e'er  travel  ever,  and  on, 
In  ages  to  come,  as  in  ages  long  gone? 

O,  spare  me,  my  God!      I  cannot  this  bear  — 
The  thought  is  appalling!      I  cannot  e'en  dare 
To  hold  this  dark  dream!      It  burdens  my  soul 
To  think  that  this  earth  shall  again  be  my  goal. 


231 


What  good  was  past  life  if  nothing  was  wrought? 
Grand  lessons  in  past  I  should  have  been  taught. 
The  future  avails  not,  living  e'er  on, 
If  past  has  not  helped  me  —  battles  been  won. 

If  future  has  nothing  better  than  past, 
I'm  ready  for  death.      Aside  Twill  cast 
This  seeming  strong  chain  which  I  cannot  break- 
So  binding  its  links,  no  new  ones  I  make. 

E'er  coming  and  going — never  at  rest — 
E'er  struggling  for  life — is  this  our  behest? 
E'er  righting  hard  battles,  ever  at  war, 
Conditions  so  hard — is  this  a  just  law? 

Forever  and  aye  no  rest  for  my  soul, 
To  struggle  e'er  on,  ne'er  reaching  my  goal. 
I  cannot  believe  this,  though  oft  in  my  sleep, 
For  seeming  past  griefs  I  bitterly  weep. 

If  dreary  grim  phantom  over  my  past, 
A  will-o'-the-wisp  o'er  me  was  cast, 
For  future  bright  life  I  never  can  hope : 
With  problem  so  drear  I  wish  not  to  cope. 


232 


I  wish  to  go  on,  retrace  not  my  steps, 
E'er  rising,  progressing  out  of  the  depths, — 
The  stars  I  will  soar  to,  high  is  my  goal  — 
E'er  onward  for  aye  the  race  of  my  soul. 

I  ask  not  to  tarry,  nor  rest  by  the  way; 
I'm  working  for  soul-growth  ever  and  aye. 
At  last  I  will  gain  my  spirit's  fond  dream — 
I  soar  e'en  to  heaven — of  it  catch  a  gleam. 

And  God  I  will  reach — His  kingdom  my  home- 
And  when  I  shall  gain  the  apex,  His  dome, 
I'll  come  not  to  earth.      Absorbed  in  His  love, 
Contented  I'll  be,  and  happy  above. 


233 


LIFE'S  GOLDEN  MORNS. 

We  must  do  our  every  duty, 
Ne'er  forgetting  that  'tis  best 

To  be  cheerful,  to  be  happy; 
Sorrow  is  not  our  behest. 

We  should  ever  seek  the  sunshine. 

There  are  clouds  upon  life's  sky, 
But  they  vanish  '  fore  the  sunbeams, 

Erom  the  sun-god  they  will  fly. 

There  are  brambles,  there  are  pitfalls, 
By  life's  path,  upon  life's  way; 

But  we  need  not  stumble  o'er  them, 
If  from  path  we  do  not  stray. 

We  will  seek  the  good,  and  hold  it. 

Cast  the  evil  to  the  wind. 
Do  the  work  that  is  before  us, 

And  life's  bright  path  try  to  find. 

Jf  we  look  for  clouds,  we  see  them, 
Clouds  oft  gather  in  life's  sky; 

But  the  rainbow  is  behind  them, 
We  shall  see  it  bye  and  bye. 
»         *         •         *         ft 

234 


Seek  not  trouble  then,  my  brother; 

It  is  better  to  be  free 
From  the  thorns  upon  life's  roadway — 

Pluck  the  roses  that  you  see. 

There  is  more  of  light  than  shadow; 

More  of  roses  than  of  thorns. 
Seeking  heaven  you're  sure  to  find  it. 

Only  seek  life's  golden  morns. 

You  can  make  of  earth  a  heaven, 
Or  be  pierced  by  life's  sharp  thorns. 

Oft,  too  oft,  the  blackest  midnights 
Follow  after  golden  morns. 


235 


LIFE'S  HIGHWAY. 

Though  path  may  be  rugged, 

And  heavy  thy  load; 
Full  many  thy  burdens, 

And  dreary,  life's  road. 

Press  onward  with  courage; 

Life's  way  is  not  long; 
Beginning  with  wailing, 

It  endeth  in  song. 

Then  carry  each  burden, 

Have  patience  alway, 
Remembering  ever 

'Tis  darkest  'fore  day. 

Though  darkness  surround  thee, 

Have  never  a  fear. 
The  Father  protects  thee  — 

He  ever  is  near. 

Life's  sky  may  be  cloudy, 

But  clouds  pass  away, 
And  God's  brightest  sunshine 

Will  lighten  thy  way. 

236 


FORSAKEN. 

O,  why  didst  thou  leave  me? 

Sometime  thou' It  regret 
The  step  thou  hast  taken  — 

Thou  canst  not  forget 
The  home  once  so  happy, 

Aye  filled  with  sweet  peace; 
'Tis  now  filled  with  sorrow, 

O,  will  it  ne'er  cease? 

I  know  thou  wast  happy 

In  days  that  are  past  — 
In  home  was  no  shadow, 

No  gloom  overcast 
The  light  of  our  home-life, 

Too  happy  to  last  — 
Dost  think,  my  beloved  one, 

My  life  thou  wilt  blast? 

Come  back,  I  implore  thee ! 

And  I  will  forget 
The  sin  of  thy  leaving  — 

Thou  shalt  not  regret 


237 


The  day  of  thy  coming, 
For  happy  thou'lt  be; 

From  sin's  heavy  thraldom 
Thou  wilt  then  be  free. 

Come  back  to  me,  darling! 

O,  list  to  my  call! 
My  life  is  so  dreary  — 

On  heart  is  a  pall ! 
Come  back,  O,  my  loved  one! 

Though  false  thou  hast  been, 
With  joy  I'll  forgive  thee, 

Forget  e'en  thy  sin. 


238 


ONE  STEP  AT  A  TIME. 

One  step  at  a  time  on  life's  journey, 
O,  take  but  one  step  at  a  time. 
The  highway  of  life  has  deep  pitfalls, 
Rough  hills  we  have  ever  to  climb. 

By  roadside,  sometimes  we  have  fallen, 
But  courage  has  helped  us  alway. 
Sometimes  we  have  traveled  in  darkness, 
But  morning  broke  clear  on  our  way. 

Life's  journey  will  soon  be  accomplished, 
The  mile-stones  now  scattered  by  way 
At  last  seem  to  lap  o'er  each  other; 
Life's  journey  grows  shorter  each  day. 

And  soon  we  shall  enter  the  portal; 

The  gate  even  now,  is  ajar; 

One  step,  and  we  cross  Death's  dark  threshold, 

We're  tired,  we  have  journeyed  so  far. 
***** 

The  light  of  the  morning  is  breaking, 

The  night  of  our  life  is  now  past. 

We've  gained  what  in  life  we've  been  seeking, 

High  heaven  is  ours  at  the  last. 


239 


THE  GREAT  WHITE  LIGHT. 

In  the  great  white  light  of  loving, 
In  the  great  white  light  of  peace, 
Our  sad  hearts  will  find  true  comfort, 
And  will  evermore  find  surcease 

From  all  trouble,  from  all  sadness, 
And  will  bathe  in  the  great  light 
That  doth  come  e'er  from  the  Father, 
Even  in  the  blackest  night. 

And  this  light  will  be  our  safeguard, 
And  will  stay  with  us  for  aye, 
If  we  kindle  it  with  love-light 
That  should  come  to  us  each  day. 

In  the  great  white  light  of  reason 
We  must  judge  of  neighbor's  life, 
And  by  self  we  should  judge  others, 
They  have  struggles,  they  have  strife. 

When  we  sit  in  life's  sad  gloaming 
We  shall  think  of  th'  morning  gone, 
But  if  we  have  done  each  duty 
We,  at  least,  have  battles  won 

240 


Over  self,  and  sore  temptations  — 
We  have  conquered  in  life's  fight. 
We  have  felt  the  joy  of  service, 
And  have  gained  the  Great  White  Light. 

Sometime  in  the  bright  hereafter 
We  shall  solve  life's  mystery; 
We  shall  reap  what  we've  been  sowing, 
What  will  then,  the  harvest  be? 

If  Love's  light  is  ever  shining, 
It  will  blend  with  light  above ; 
For  our  Father  knows  our  struggles, 
And  will  help  us  with  His  love. 

And  this  light  within  is  shining, 

E'er  to  help  us  on  life's  way. 

We  should  keep  Love's  lamp  e'er  burning 

And  "The  Great  White  Light  Obey!" 


241 


THE  SUN'S  LOVEMAKING. 

The  sun  kissed  the  mountain  good  night, 
Then  hid  his  face  behind  a  cloud. 
Soon  tears  were  falling  on  the  earth, 
In  sky  there  was  a  black,  black  cloud. 

A  pall  fell  o'er  the  mountain-top, 
Which  seemed  to  sleep  in  direst  gloom; 
Love  threw  a  mantle  o'er  his  bride, 
'Twas  woven  on  Love's  own  fair  loom. 

The  mount,  now  bathed  in  Love's  own  light, 
Seemed  brighter  e'en  than  yesterday; 
It  dressed  itself  in  flowers  sweet, 
The  birds  now  sang  a  roundelay. 

All  nature  now  seemed  filled  with  love: 
The  sun  looked  down  with  happiest  smile, 
And  tarried  on  the  mountain  crest: 
His  love  words  did  the  mount  beguile. 


242 


FRAGMENTS. 

We  will  "gather  up  the  fragments, 
That  nothing  may  be  lost.' ' — 

As  the  ship  of  Truth  awaits  you, 
Be  not  by  error  tossed. 

Some  may  eat  these  crumbs  with  pleasure, 

While  others  may  not  care 
To  accept  my  loaves  and  fishes. 

As  on  life's  road  they  fare. 

Some  may  eat  of  what  I  give  them, 

And  some  may  cast  away 
Crumbs  that  they  consider  worthless; 

They  have  this  right  alway. 

And  we  know  that  brothers,  sisters, 

Have  rights  as  well  as  we, 
And  to  choose  what  may  best  please  them; 

They  have  full  liberty. 

*          *          *          *          * 

If  you  have  sweet  peace  at  fireside, 

And  truth  in  heart  alway; 
Give  your  heart  to  those  in  trouble  — 

'Tis  better  than  to  pray. 

243 


If  by  Truth  you  e'  er  are  guided, 

You  will  in  safety  rest. 
You  will  gain  the  port  of  Heaven 

And  love  is  your  behest. 

You  may  gather  up  life's  fragments, 
And  give  them  to  mankind; 

But  if  they  will  not  accept  them, 
Their  souls  try  not  to  bind. 

Now  the  fragments  have  been  chosen, 

And  all  of  them  are  here; 
And  with  kindest  wishes  given  — 

Were  written  without  fear. 

Now  among  these  verses  simple 

Is  written  one  for  you; 
And  by  searching  you  will  find  it  — 

It  may  give  pleasure  too. 


Return  *>  desk  from  which  borrowed 
on  the ,ast  date stamped 


.  .  / 


2? 


NOV2H953 
SENT ON  IU 

JAN  2  6  1994 

U-C.  BERKELEY 

-ig^R7us^NE 
MA/?  o  f  Q3J 

32SH22NDEPT. 


:«T. 


LD21-100m.7,'52(A2528S16)476 


YB 


753436 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


